Thiruvananthapuram, 19 Jan (H.S.):The deadline for submitting objections and complaints regarding the draft electoral rolls prepared as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Kerala has been extended till January 30, following directions from the Supreme Court of India. The extension was formally notified through an official order issued by the Election Commission of India.
Earlier, voters had time only until January 22 to file complaints related to omissions, deletions, or errors in the draft voter list. However, the Commission clarified that the revised deadline was granted in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court, which intervened after the Kerala government sought additional time to safeguard the rights of eligible voters.
The Supreme Court, while considering concerns raised by the state, observed that a large number of eligible voters may have been excluded during the revision process. To ensure transparency and provide affected citizens with adequate opportunity to verify their status, the Court directed that details of voters removed from the rolls should be made publicly accessible. As per the directive, lists of deleted or excluded voters must be displayed at easily accessible public places such as panchayat offices and other local government institutions.
In addition, the Court instructed that these details should also be published on official websites, enabling voters to independently verify whether their names have been wrongly removed. This move, the Court noted, is essential to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised due to procedural lapses or administrative errors during the intensive revision exercise.
The Election Commission has also been directed to provide sufficient time for those whose names were removed to submit objections and seek inclusion in the final electoral rolls. The extension of the complaint window is expected to offer relief to thousands of voters who were unable to file objections within the earlier deadline.
The draft electoral rolls for Kerala were published on December 23, 2025, as part of the nationwide Special Intensive Revision. Similar extensions have been granted in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, where voters have also been given time until January 30 to submit complaints and corrections.
Election officials have urged voters to make use of the extended period to verify their details and file objections wherever necessary, stressing that the final electoral rolls will be prepared only after due consideration of all valid claims and complaints.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
