Kerala SIR row: SC asks EC to publish names deleted from draft electoral rolls

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Election Commission to publicly disclose the names of voters excluded from Kerala’s draft electoral rolls after a special intensive revision, saying this was necessary to allow affected citizens to raise objections. The court also urged the poll panel to consider extending the deadline for objections, preferably by two weeks, amid concerns of large-scale disenfranchisement.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the special intensive revision (SIR) process undertaken in Kerala. The petitioners include the state of Kerala, senior political leaders such as PK Kunhalikutty of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), MV Govindan Master of the CPI(M), Sunny Joseph, and the CPI State Council.

The pleas contend that the SIR process, as currently executed, risks disenfranchising a massive segment of the population due to technical errors and the absence of a robust grievance redressal mechanism.

Nearly 24 lakh names deleted, petitioners say

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners submitted that, according to the draft electoral rolls released after the revision, nearly 24 lakh names had been deleted.

It was argued that while voters are required to file objections against deletion, the list of excluded persons has not been made accessible, effectively denying them a meaningful opportunity to challenge the removal of their names.

"They have to list objections, but the list of those persons deleted is not available. Now people have to go back and file objections stating why have you deleted me...that opportunity is missing for us," one of the lawyers said.

Errors and lack of transparency flagged

The petitioners further pointed out that some voters have been erroneously shown as deceased in the draft rolls, while others have been marked as residing outside the state.

The lack of transparency, it was contended, has caused serious difficulties for voters, particularly in rural areas.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench said the names of persons excluded from the draft electoral rolls, if not already displayed, must be exhibited at gram panchayat offices or any other public office located in villages.

The court also directed that such lists be uploaded on the official website to ensure wider accessibility.

Deadline extension under consideration

The bench was informed that during a previous hearing, the Election Commission had extended the original deadline for submission of enumeration forms from December 4 to December 11. Following the court’s observations, the deadline was further extended to December 18.

Counsel appearing for the poll panel told the court that the issue of extending the deadline for filing objections would be considered.

"Meanwhile, having regard to the difficulty being experienced by the people at large, the ECI may consider the desirability of extending the date," the bench said.