In a significant move to ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of the electoral roll, the Kerala Chief Electoral Officer has appointed four senior civil servants as special observers for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters' list. The step aims to streamline the revision process and address any discrepancies proactively.
Meet the Observers and Their Jurisdictions
Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar announced the names and assigned districts for the four appointed observers. MG Rajamanickam will oversee the northern districts of Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The central region comprising Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram will be under the charge of K Biju.
Tinku Biswal has been entrusted with the oversight of Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts. The southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha will be handled by K Vasuki.
Three-Phase Review Process
The observers will conduct their review in three distinct phases aligned with the revision schedule. Their first visit will coincide with the notice phase, when officials receive claims and objections from the public.
A second visit is scheduled for the stage when these claims and objections are resolved. The third and final visit will occur during the phase where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) verify work copies, print supplements, and prepare for the publication of the final voters' list.
Ensuring Transparency and Public Participation
During their initial visit, the observers will convene meetings with MPs, MLAs, and representatives of recognized political parties. The objective is to hear their grievances and ensure their active participation in the review process. Furthermore, after giving due advance notice, the officials will also hold public meetings to engage directly with citizens.
The observers have a specific mandate to scrutinize constituencies showing significant deviations. They will review reports and explanations from district election officers in areas where the addition or deletion of names exceeds 1% of the district average or is more than 3% in any legislative assembly constituency.
CEO Kelkar emphasized that authorities are taking concerted steps at all levels. The primary goal is to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded and that the voters' list is revised comprehensively, addressing all deficiencies to achieve a list free from complaints.
