Kerala's Voter Roll Update Gets a New Timeline: ECI Pushes Back Schedule Amidst Local Polls

In a recent development that aims to streamline the electoral process and ensure maximum participation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a one-week extension for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Kerala's electoral rolls. This thoughtful adjustment has been made specifically to account for the local body bypolls scheduled across various wards in the state.

It seems the ECI is keen on ensuring that no citizen is disenfranchised, especially with the upcoming by-elections. The decision to push back the schedule by seven days comes directly in view of the local body bypolls slated for October 18, 2023. These elections will see citizens casting their votes in 28 wards spread across a dozen districts of Kerala. The extension will undoubtedly provide a much-needed window for both voters and election officials to manage both processes smoothly.

So, what does this extension actually mean for the timeline? Well, the publication of the draft electoral roll, which was originally set for October 17, 2023, will now take place a week later, on October 24, 2023. Consequently, the period allotted for filing claims and objections, initially from October 17 to November 16, has also been shifted. Citizens will now have from October 24 to November 23 to submit any claims or raise objections regarding the draft roll.

Further along the timeline, the disposal of these claims and objections, previously scheduled for December 7, will now be completed by December 14. And finally, the eagerly awaited publication of the final electoral roll, which would have happened on January 1, 2024, will now be released on January 8, 2024. Essentially, every stage of the revision process has been moved back by a full week, maintaining the same duration for each activity but with new start and end dates.

It's worth noting that the ECI's overall objective remains steadfast: to ensure clean, updated, and accurate electoral rolls. To achieve this, they are also undertaking a thorough house-to-house verification process. Furthermore, to encourage widespread public participation, special camps have been organized. These camps will be held on October 28 and November 11, providing convenient opportunities for citizens to engage directly with the revision process. It's a comprehensive effort to make sure every eligible voter is accurately represented.