Over 25 lakh voters found untraceable during SIR of electoral rolls in Kerala
Chief Election Officer Rathan U Kelkar says 6.44 lakh voters identified as deceased during SIR; political parties flag concerns over discrepancies
Over 25 lakh voters have been found untraceable by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala, Chief Election Officer Rathan U Kelkar said on Monday (December 15).
He was speaking at an all-party meeting convened to review the progress of the SIR in the state. Kelkar said that Booth Level Officers had identified 6.44 lakh voters as deceased during the verification exercise.
He said 8.19 lakh voters were found to have permanently moved to other places, 1.31 lakh voters had multiple entries, and no details were available for around 7.12 lakh voters.
Kelkar added that the untraced category included voters to whom BLOs could not hand over enumeration forms. He said details of the untraced voters would be published on the official website, allowing people to verify their names. The information would also be shared with political parties, he added.
However, representatives of various political parties raised concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Election Commission’s figures on untraced voters.
Kelkar said the SIR process had concluded in Kasaragod, Kollam, and Wayanad districts and would be wrapped up in the remaining districts soon.
The SIR, which began in Kerala last month, was extended following the local body elections.
(With agency inputs)