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Kerala's Electoral Battle: Why SIR Purification Plan Sparks Political Firestorm

Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer is defending the Special Intensive Revision as necessary for purifying voter lists. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched strong criticism against the move, calling it undemocratic. The controversy centers around using outdated 2002-2004 electoral rolls instead of current lists for the revision. Both ruling and opposition parties have united in opposing this electoral exercise despite the CEO's assurances of smooth implementation.

Key Points: Kerala CEO Defends SIR Amid UDF LDF Opposition to Voter Roll Revision

  • Kerala CEO assures personal review of voter exclusion complaints from political parties
  • CM Vijayan calls SIR implementation a challenge to democratic process
  • Revision based on 2002-2004 rolls instead of current lists raises legal concerns
  • Both ruling and opposition parties united in opposing the special intensive revision
3 min read

SIR's intention is to purify electoral rolls, says Kerala CEO, as UDF, LDF oppose the move

Kerala CEO Rathan Kelkar insists SIR aims to purify electoral rolls as CM Pinarayi Vijayan calls it "direct challenge to democratic process" amid bipartisan opposition.

"The intention of this entire exercise is to ensure a purified electoral roll - Rathan U Kelkar, Kerala CEO"

Thiruvananthapuram, October 29

Amid the strong opposition from both ruling and Opposition parties in Kerala against the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, the State's Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U Kelkar, said the purpose of the exercise is to purify the electoral rolls and that all political parties can approach him personally to submit their complaints.

"We have repeatedly told all the political parties in the previous meetings also, the intention of SIR is to ensure that all eligible electors are included in the electoral roll and no ineligible elector should be retained in the electoral roll," Kelkar told ANI.

He assured a "very pleasant experience for everybody" and urged the people's participation in the exercise.

"The intention of this entire exercise is to ensure a purified electoral roll...We've also told the political party that if they feel, for some reason, that some people are getting left out, they can give the list to me straight away," he said.

"I will personally see that the entire list will be examined and all eligible people will be included in the roll...People don't have to be bothered. We'll make it a very pleasant experience for everybody, and we would want the participation of the people," he added.

On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to implement the SIR, calling it "a direct challenge to the democratic process" and urging the poll body to withdraw from actions that "undermine its own credibility."

"The Election Commission of India's decision to implement a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters list in Kerala and other states is a direct challenge to the democratic process," the Kerala CM said in a statement.

The Kerala Chief Minister highlighted that the Commission is planning to carry out the revision based on electoral rolls from 2002-2004, instead of using the updated voter lists. He stressed that, as per the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, any revision of the electoral rolls must be conducted using the current list as a base.

"Despite the State Election Officer having clearly stated that conducting a Special Intensive Revision is impractical at this stage with local body elections approaching in Kerala, the insistence on implementing the SIR immediately casts serious doubt on the Election Commission's motives," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Why are both UDF and LDF opposing this? When political parties unite against electoral reforms, it raises serious questions about their intentions. Clean voter lists benefit democracy.
A
Anjali F
The CEO's assurance that he will personally examine complaints is reassuring. But using 2002-2004 data seems odd when we have updated lists. Hope genuine voters don't get excluded in this process.
M
Michael C
As someone who has worked in election monitoring, I can say that Kerala's electoral rolls are among the cleanest in India. This sudden "purification" drive right before local body elections does seem suspicious timing.
S
Siddharth J
Every party talks about electoral reforms but when actual action is taken, they oppose. Typical Indian politics! We need clean voter lists for fair elections. Support this move! 🇮🇳
K
Kavya N
The timing is definitely questionable. Why now when local elections are approaching? If the intention is pure, why not wait until after the elections? This feels like political interference in Kerala's democratic process.

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