Enumeration Form Distribution Fails; Kerala and Tamil Nadu Lag Behind

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala and Tamil Nadu rank lowest in the distribution of enumeration forms as part of the Election Commission of India’s intensive revision of the voter list. According to figures released by the Commission on Monday, only 97.33 percent of eligible individuals in Kerala and 96.22 percent in Tamil Nadu have received the form. Among Union Territories, Puducherry has recorded the poorest distribution coverage.

In Kerala alone, 7,42,568 people are yet to receive the required form. The Commission has not clarified the reason for the delay. Political parties, however, have attributed the slowdown to lack of operational coordination and insufficient instructions. This comes at a time when Kerala is also gearing up for local body elections.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala has stated that the state has achieved over 99.5 percent coverage. However, this claim does not correspond with the official figures released by the central Election Commission.

2.57 Lakh Officials Deployed for Election Duties

The State Election Commission has announced that 2,56,934 personnel have been assigned for Kerala’s local body election duties. This includes 14 District Election Officers, 28 Assistant District Election Officers, 1,249 Returning Officers, 1,321 Assistant Returning Officers, and 1,034 Electoral Registration Officers.

For tasks such as polling, distribution of materials, and vote counting, 1,80,000 staff members have been deployed. Additionally, 70,000 police personnel will oversee security arrangements.

To ensure proper monitoring, 14 general observers and 70 expenditure observers have been appointed. The administrative structure also includes 2,300 sectoral officers, 184 anti-defacement squad members, 70 district-level trainers, and 650 block-level trainers.