Thiruvananthapuram: The Election Commission has launched an extensive verification drive under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, scrutinising lakhs of names in the BLO lists, including deceased voters and individuals who cannot be traced.

Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar said a meeting will be held to verify whether the names marked as deceased are accurate and to confirm the details of voters who have reportedly shifted residence.

As of Saturday, 10 am, 20,75,381 voters, that is 7.45 per cent of the total electorate, are categorised under the ASD (Absent, Shifted, Dead) list. These include:

  • Deceased voters: 6,11,559 (2.2%)
  • Untraceable voters: 5,66,182 (2.03%)
  • Permanently shifted residents: 7,39,205 (2.65%)
  • Duplicate entries: 1,12,569 (0.40%)
  • Others: 45,866 (0.16%)

By Saturday evening, the figure had crossed 21 lakh. Remaining names belong largely to voters who did not receive the enumeration form or refused to return it after receiving it.

Political parties raise concerns: 35 lakh names may be removed

Political parties have expressed concern that even those who have filled the enumeration form may receive notices requiring document submission and hearings, potentially leading to the exclusion of nearly 35 lakh voters from the final electoral roll.

If the voter list is published while appeals are pending against decisions of the Electoral Registration Officer, eligible names will still be added afterwards.

BLO work to continue till December 18

The CEO confirmed that BLOs with health issues will be replaced, and additional personnel will be appointed if required to ensure completion of the SIR process. BLOs will be engaged exclusively in SIR duties until December 18.