Thiruvananthapuram: Distribution of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) forms has been completed up to 99 per cent, with preliminary figures indicating that 60,344 voters could not be traced, according to Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar.

These figures are as of Wednesday evening. The precise numbers will be presented at the next meeting with political parties.

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Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will compile the list of untraceable voters during meetings held in the presence of booth-level agents, and the list will be published alongside the SIR draft, Kelkar said.

According to preliminary data, over 29,000 of the untraceable individuals have passed away. Around 20,000 have changed their residence, while the locations of 4,500 remain unknown. Additionally, 3,800 duplicate entries had been identified earlier, he added.

No pressure from collectors

Kelkar clarified that no district collectors have attempted to intimidate staff and that reports of BLOs being pressured are false. He added that if any complaints of coercion arise, appropriate action will be taken. Daily meetings are convened with collectors, and they have been instructed to resolve any difficulties faced by BLOs. He emphasised that staff have to complete the work assigned to them as part of their duties and noted that his employees have been under immense workload for the past three months, even being denied proper sleep.

Assistance centres to help BLOs

Assistance centres with internet facilities at the village level have been set up to enable BLOs to upload enumeration data through the app. Volunteers will also be available to provide support.

BLAs (Booth Level Agents) can collect completed enumeration forms and hand them over to BLOs. Affidavits must be submitted along with the applications. There is no restriction on BLAs submitting applications for adding new voters.

The deadline for completing the SIR is December 4. Kelkar said that if the collection of completed enumeration forms is finished three to four days prior to the deadline, it will allow authorities to review the data, correct errors, and include any omitted voters.