Kerala SIR : Collectors directed to provide documents on a war footing, to ensure all eligible people in voters list

Thiruvananthapuram: As the SIR process in progress in Kerala, the government has directed that urgent steps be taken to include all eligible people in the voter’s list.

District collectors have been directed to provide documents necessary on a war footing to those who require them. During the period for enrolment in the voter’s list, a fee exemption will be in place for documents, the government said.

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The state cabinet had earlier decided to set up help desks at the regional level to assist people with enrolment. Collectors have been directed to set up public hearing centres for the purpose. If required, additional officials and volunteers would be appointed at these centres. Also, there will be a fee discount at Akshaya centres.

Steps will be taken to ensure that officials working with SIR activities are available. In that regard, the government directed that vacancies of booth-level officers be filled at all polling stations, with vacancies arising in the case of retirements filled immediately. Also, officials who are part of these activities cannot be transferred during the period and leave should not be approved to these officials without prior permission.

Awareness programmes too will be conducted to ensure that all eligible voters are included in the list.

Kerala government to ensure that no citizens lose their right to vote

The Kerala government has decided to strongly intervene to ensure that no citizen loses their right to vote due to technical issues arising from the Special Intensive Revision process and “no mapping” in the electoral roll, Industries Minister P Rajeeve said on Monday.

Rajeeve, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, made the statement addressing a press conference in Kochi.

The minister further said that the government has approached the Supreme Court in view of widespread concerns regarding SIR procedures, including 'no mapping' of voter data.

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Kerala is the only state to have moved the apex court on this matter, he added, and two weeks’ time has been granted following the petition.

Rajeeve explained that around 19.32 lakh voters across the state figure in the draft electoral roll but remain in the 'no mapping' category due to technical mismatches, such as the inability to link present voter details with the 2002 electoral roll or parental records.