The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kerala said on Tuesday that the state’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is making strong progress. Over 96 % of the required Enumeration Forms have already been sent out to voters across the state.
The boost comes thanks to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who work on the ground. They are backed by district administrations and the election machinery. To speed up the process, districts have set up special camps and dedicated centers with the necessary technical gear for BLOs to digitise the forms quickly and accurately.
Political parties have joined in, nominating Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and opening help desks. This teamwork helps lighten the workload for the BLOs and makes the roll‑revision easier for voters.
Despite these successes, some local areas report that many households still haven’t received the forms. Critics worry the SIR might not finish on schedule and that incomplete rolls could exclude voters. The issue is especially tight because the SIR runs at the same time as the two‑phase local body elections on December 9 and 11.
The state government, the CPI(M), Congress and the IUML – the second‑largest party in the UDF coalition – have asked the Supreme Court to stop the SIR. They argue that running the SIR and the local elections together could create confusion, errors and voter gaps.
In response, the CEO’s office praised the BLOs and field staff for their hard work and urged voters, parties and the media to keep supporting the revision effort. The office highlighted that the SIR is a joint venture and that no election worker should be left without help.
One state official said the situation on the ground is tougher than it looks. “We feel constant pressure and it’s a hard job even when we’re being asked by higher officials,” she said.
The stress around the SIR was underscored on Sunday in Kannur, where a BLO took his own life. The tragedy sparked statewide protests by BLOs on Monday, adding urgency to the debate over how best to manage the election process.
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