The move comes even as the groundwork for SIR has already begun in the state.
Published Sep 19, 2025 | 4:05 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 19, 2025 | 4:05 PM
Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Synopsis: According to sources, the state government is preparing to table a resolution expressing its opposition to the SIR. The Opposition has made it clear that once the resolution is presented, it will extend wholehearted support. The move comes even as the groundwork for SIR has already begun in the state.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly is likely to pass a unanimous resolution against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with both ruling and Opposition fronts expected to close ranks on the issue.
According to sources, the state government is preparing to table a resolution expressing its opposition to the SIR. The Opposition has made it clear that once the resolution is presented, it will extend wholehearted support.
The move comes even as the groundwork for SIR has already begun in the state.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)- Kerala Rathan U Kelkar has instructed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to provide training for Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties before 20 September and ensure their presence across polling booths.
The BLOs have also been directed to visit households in their respective areas with enumeration forms, verifying that every voter possesses at least one of the 12 identity documents prescribed by the ECI for voting.
In addition, BLAs have been asked to cross-check voter lists from 2002 and 2025 to detect anomalies, if any, by 20 September.
Meanwhile, the CEO has convened a meeting of political parties on Saturday, 20 September, to discuss the rollout of the SIR exercise in Kerala.
The Assembly resolution is expected to highlight concerns raised by political parties in the state, who view the SIR as unnecessary and potentially disruptive ahead of the upcoming elections.
The EC is reported to be considering a pan-India SIR by the end of 2025 — an exercise officials say is intended to weed out foreign illegal migrants by checking place of birth — ahead of assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2026.
The SIR in Bihar provoked controversy, with opposition parties warning that many eligible citizens could be left without voting rights for lack of documents, meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed the EC to ensure no eligible voter is excluded.
(Edited by Sumvarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
