Kerala Government offers free document issuance to ensure all eligible voters enrolled

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced emergency measures to ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll ahead of upcoming elections, with special provisions for document issuance, help desks, and awareness campaigns.

What steps is Kerala taking to include all eligible voters?

District Collectors have been instructed to take urgent measures to issue documents to citizens who do not possess adequate records. During this period, all document issuance will be free, with existing fees waived.

Help desks are being established at the local level to assist citizens in enrolling in the electoral roll. Facilities for online application submissions will also be available at all help desks. Volunteers and hearing officers will be deployed to ensure smooth processing. The IT Department has been directed to reduce service charges at Akshaya Centres for voter registration services.

The government has ordered that Booth Level Officer (BLO) positions be filled within two days where vacancies exist. Posts for Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Assistant ERO (AERO), and Additional AERO, which are vacant due to retirements, will be filled immediately.

To ensure uninterrupted operations, transfers and leave of concerned officials are prohibited during this period. Leave preparatory to retirement (LPR) will only be granted after replacements are appointed.

What awareness campaigns and voter support are being planned?

Awareness campaigns will be conducted to include citizens omitted from the draft electoral roll. In cases of delay in issuing certificates through K-SMART, the Local Self-Government Department will explore direct issuance through panchayats.

High-level help desks and camps will be set up to assist citizens in submitting applications and resolving issues, ensuring no eligible voter is left out.

The Kerala government reiterated its commitment to voting rights for all eligible citizens, highlighting that previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR) processes were not fully inclusive. By launching village-level help desks, the state aims to rectify omissions and provide accessible services at every level.

Citizens whose names are missing from the electoral roll have been urged to visit local help desks or use online facilities to ensure they are included before elections.
(With ANI inputs)