Representatives from various political parties in Ernakulam are calling for an extension of the deadline to address public concerns raised during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. This demand came during a meeting led by District Collector G. Priyanka, who also serves as the District Election Officer, with Electoral Roll Observer Tinku Biswal present. Key figures at the meeting included MLAs T.J. Vinod, Anoop Jacob, Uma Thomas, and Anwar Sadath.
Political leaders voiced their alarms over several enduring issues in the SIR process, particularly highlighting the need for better communication regarding the exclusion of individuals from the draft list, changes in polling booths, and the enrollment of new voters. MLA T.J. Vinod emphasized the cumbersome nature of the current online application process for new voter registrations through Form 6, advocating for a more straightforward offline alternative where booth-level officers (BLOs) could facilitate direct applications.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Hibi Eden, who also serves as an MP, raised serious concerns regarding lapses on the part of the Election Commission related to the SIR. He pointed out numerous objections to the published list of absent, shifted, and deceased (ASD) voters. Eden has formally reached out to the Chief Election Commissioner, urging prompt resolution of these pressing issues. He noted, “It has been observed that BLOs have not actively participated in the process in many areas. With 206,061 individuals in the no-mapping category in our district, this is a significant number.”
Eden expressed strong apprehension about the potential impact of these issues on the electoral process, accusing the Election Commission of undermining democracy through inaction. The meeting highlighted a collective frustration among political representatives over the sluggishness of the revision process, emphasizing its crucial role in ensuring fair and transparent elections.
As the SIR procedures continue, the demand for a more streamlined process has gained traction among stakeholders. Efforts to facilitate voter registration and rectify existing discrepancies in the electoral roll are vital, especially as the political landscape intensifies leading up to upcoming elections.
With only days remaining until the current deadline, the calls for an extension underscore the urgency of resolving these electoral concerns. As discussions evolve, the involvement and responsiveness of the Election Commission will be critical in shaping the integrity of the electoral process in Ernakulam and beyond.
In light of the ongoing challenges, local party representatives and citizens alike are watching closely, urging swift action to uphold the democratic process.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/concerns-raised-over-continuing-gaps-in-sir-process/article70502176.ece
Category : Kerala
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Publish Date: 2026-01-13 01:42:00
