Kerala’s Opposition says SIR overburdens, but BJP says it complements

The Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls are overlapping with Kerala’s local body elections scheduled for December 9 and 11. All major parties, except the BJP, have called for the SIR to be postponed, arguing that the process is pressuring officials, confusing parties and voters alike.

According to CPI(M) State committee member and former MP N.N. Krishnadas, every politician regardless of party or standing is involved in the local body polls, and the SIR will be a major distraction for them.

He said that local body elections, often described as the festival of democracy, attract ordinary people rather than just seasoned politicians. Everyone is under pressure now, he said.

Mr. Krishnadas added that over two lakh government employees are currently being trained for the local body polls while roughly one lakh BLOs are tied up with the SIR. “They are performing electoral duties on top of their regular jobs, which is causing stress and affecting their work,” he said.

‘Hidden motive’

Congress leader and Palakkad MP V.K. Sreekandan suspects a hidden motive behind the Election Commission’s rush to conduct the SIR while local body polls are under way. “There is a concealed agenda,” he said. “The Election Commission of India and State Election Commission are acting in concert. Forcing SIR during the local polls is overburdening officials, citizens and political parties alike,” he said.

Mr. Sreekandan added that the public are being made to shoulder the government’s problems. “Maintaining the electoral rolls is the government’s responsibility. Why should people be subjected to hardship in the name of SIR?” he asked.

Major distraction

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State general secretary P.M.A. Salam and secretary Abdurahman Randathani said the party workers acting as booth level agents (BLAs), who assist the BLOs during the SIR, were feeling the strain. “Our BLA friends are supposed to be concentrating on the local body polls, but the SIR is a major distraction for them,” said Mr. Randathani.

The Supreme Court will hear the challenge to the SIR on November 26. Politicians are wary because many District Collectors are rushing the process and pressuring BLOs. “Less than 10% of the 2.8 crore voters have been enrolled so far. The haste raises legitimate concerns,” said Mr. Randathani.

The BJP sees the SIR as a complement for the civic polls. BJP State treasurer E. Krishnadas argues that party workers can combine house-to-house SIR duties with local body electioneering.

“A single visit can cover both tasks and that the timing actually helps BLOs and political parties. Other parties are opposing the SIR for political reasons,” said Mr. Krishnadas.