Kerala to challenge Election Commission’s hasty SIR rollout

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the Election Commission’s decision to hastily implement the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll across the country, including in Kerala.

Addressing the media here, the Chief Minister said the move raises serious apprehensions about the integrity of the democratic process. He reminded that the Kerala Legislative Assembly had earlier unanimously adopted a resolution highlighting the dangers of such a decision and demanding that the SIR exercise be withdrawn to ensure transparency in voter list revision.

“The Election Commission’s latest decision to proceed with the SIR, disregarding the views of political parties and even the State Chief Electoral Officer, is deeply worrying,” the Chief Minister said. “The Chief Electoral Officer himself had noted that such an exercise is impractical at this stage, particularly with local body elections approaching in the state.”

Pinarayi Vijayan said the state government would strongly oppose the move. The Cabinet, which met earlier in the day, decided to convene an all- party meeting on November 5 at 4 pm. to discuss the issue and plan further steps.

In other Cabinet decisions, the Chief Minister announced that 12 new posts of Women Station Officers will be created in the Fire and Rescue Services Department. Half of these positions will be filled through direct recruitment by the Public Service Commission (PSC), while the remaining half will be reserved for promotion from among serving women fire officers.

For those affected by the devastating floods in Kootickal, Kottayam district, Pinarayi Vijayan said the government will waive stamp duty and registration fees on the free land and houses being allotted, up to seven cents per person. The total exemption granted amounts to 26,78,739 rupees.