Last day to submit SIR forms in Kerala today; draft electoral roll to be published on Dec 23

Thiruvananthapuram: The deadline for submitting filled enumeration forms under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll ends on Thursday. Of the forms distributed, nearly 99.9 per cent have been returned duly filled. The draft electoral roll will be published on December 23.

More than 25 lakh people could not be traced. Efforts will be made to locate them in coordination with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) representing political parties. If they cannot be traced, their names will not appear in the draft roll. All those who have submitted the filled forms will be included in the draft list.

Kerala’s plea seeking an extension of the deadline will come up before the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rathan U Kelkar said that BLAs have been permitted to submit applications in bulk on Thursday. Before the publication of the draft roll, a BLA may not submit more than 50 applications per day to a Booth Level Officer (BLO). After the draft roll is published, this will be reduced to 10 per day.

BLOs have already handed over to BLAs the list (ASD) of those not present at their place, those who have shifted residence, and the deceased, for verification. After the draft electoral roll is published, booth-wise lists of those not included will be displayed on the notice boards of Electoral Registration Officers. The lists will also be made available on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website. This will help ascertain the reasons for exclusion of names. Complaints and objections can be filed from December 23 to January 22. Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will summon for hearings those who have not submitted the required information.