Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Khelkar here on Saturday said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the state is being carried out as per the schedule set by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Addressing reporters after a meeting with representatives of various political parties, Khelkar said around 85 per cent of the enumeration forms had been distributed and the process was expected to be completed by November 25.
He clarified that the voters' list for the upcoming local body elections is different from the electoral roll being prepared under the SIR.
“The focus of the SIR is the electoral roll for the 2026 Assembly elections. It will not affect the local body polls,” he said.
Khelkar said the SIR is being conducted with the participation of Booth Level Officers and political parties.
Meanwhile, representatives of parties, except the BJP, demanded that the SIR be postponed until after the civic body elections.
CPI(M) leader M V Jayarajan alleged that the SIR was being conducted to influence the upcoming local body polls in Kerala.
According to him, the ECI is functioning as an instrument of the BJP.
“Anticipating an LDF victory, the BJP has influenced the ECI to conduct the SIR during the poll period in Kerala. We cannot accept this,” he said.
The state government recently approached the Kerala High Court seeking a deferment of the SIR.
However, the court, without entertaining the plea, directed the state government to approach the Supreme Court.
