Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has voiced strong disapproval over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Kerala and several other states. He emphatically described this initiative as a grave threat to the very essence of democratic functioning.
In a recent statement, Chief Minister Vijayan expressed deep concerns regarding the ECI’s intentions, cautioning that such a move could severely erode public confidence in the nation’s revered electoral system. His criticism centers on the ECI’s reported plan to base this revision on outdated voter lists from 2002 to 2004, rather than utilizing the most current electoral rolls. This approach, he highlighted, directly contravenes the fundamental principles outlined in the Representation of the People Act of 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960, which mandate that all updates must be founded on the existing voter list.
Adding to the complexity, Mr. Vijayan revealed that Kerala’s State Election Officer had already communicated to the ECI the impracticality of undertaking a special intensive revision at this particular time, especially as the state prepares for its crucial local body elections.
The Chief Minister stressed that proceeding with the SIR despite these clear warnings raises significant suspicions about its true objectives. This pointed critique from Vijayan follows closely on the heels of the ECI’s announcement that the SIR exercise is slated to run from November to February across 12 states and Union Territories. Notably, this list includes Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal – all regions scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2026, adding a layer of political sensitivity to the ECI’s controversial decision.