The Kerala government has decided to legally challenge the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list in the state. The decision was taken at an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday. All parties, except the BJP, supported the government’s decision.
In light of the upcoming local body elections, the chief minister informed the meeting that the government would seek legal advice on how to challenge the SIR—both in its capacity as a government and as a political entity.
The chief minister stated that the move to implement a special revision of the voters’ list based on the 2002 electoral roll, when a freshly updated list prepared during the last Lok Sabha elections is already in force, is irrational and ill-intentioned.
Political parties expressed concern that using the 2002 list as the base for revision would create numerous practical difficulties and that the SIR appears to be carried out with a specific ulterior motive. Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan said he fully agreed with the chief minister’s apprehensions and that the opposition would be ready to become a party to the case if it goes to court. CPI(M) state secretary M. V. Govindan said the move was unconstitutional and anti-democratic.
Meanwhile, the chief electoral officer has directed all district collectors to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of both the SIR and the upcoming local body elections in the state, without any operational overlap.
A decision has been taken that those designated as booth level officers (BLOs) for the SIR will not be assigned any duties related to the local body elections, which are expected to be announced soon. The Election Commission also decided that personnel engaged in conducting local body elections will not be entrusted with BLO duties during the SIR. In cases where any staff member involved in election work is also designated as a BLO, such personnel will be replaced by other suitable officials.
Incidentally, the Election Commission has instructed all district collectors to take the necessary steps to identify the extra resources required to complete the SIR within the prescribed schedule.