Meanwhile, the SIR of electoral rolls has reached a key stage, with booth-level hearings beginning across the state for over 10,000 individuals.
Published Jan 06, 2026 | 2:47 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 06, 2026 | 2:47 PM
SIR
Synopsis: As part of the initiative, the Cabinet has approved the setting up of help desks at local levels to assist people in enrolling in the electoral rolls. Collectors have been instructed to establish adequate hearing centres without causing inconvenience to the public and to ensure sufficient infrastructure, volunteers and hearing officers.
The Kerala government has decided to take immediate steps to ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the voters’ list, with District Collectors directed to act on a war footing to provide necessary documents to those lacking adequate proof.
No fee will be charged for issuing such documents during this period, and any existing fees will be waived, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
As part of the initiative, the Cabinet has approved the setting up of help desks at local levels to assist people in enrolling in the electoral rolls. Collectors have been instructed to establish adequate hearing centres without causing inconvenience to the public and to ensure sufficient infrastructure, volunteers and hearing officers.
Facilities for online submission of forms will be made available at all help centres, while the IT Department has been asked to reduce service charges at Akshaya Centres.
The government has also directed that Booth Level Officers be appointed within two days in polling stations where posts are vacant, and that vacancies in ERO, AERO and Additional AERO positions be filled immediately, with leave and transfers restricted during this period.
Awareness campaigns will be undertaken to include those omitted from draft rolls, and delays in certificates issued through K-Smart will be examined, including the possibility of issuing them directly through panchayats.
Reiterating its policy of ensuring voting rights for all eligible citizens, the government has urged those left out of the voters’ list to make use of the newly established village-level help desks.
Meanwhile, the SIR of electoral rolls has reached a key stage, with booth-level hearings beginning across the state for over 10,000 individuals. Around 1.3 lakh voters have so far received notices based on the draft rolls, while a total of 18.7 lakh notices have been prepared and delivered by BLOs.
Hearings are being held at polling stations and conducted by Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, with BLOs assisting. Those unable to attend on the scheduled date can seek a rescheduled hearing through the BLO.
Voters must produce the documents mentioned in the notice, some cases require parental records as well. Officials have been told to exempt those who have already submitted valid documents.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
