Kerala chief electoral officer clarifies SIR form deadline as December 4

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Ratan U Kelkar on Sunday clarified that the deadline for completing the distribution, collection, and digitisation of SIR forms for the electoral roll is December 4, as directed by the Election Commission, and not November 26 as some reports suggested.

Kelkar noted that the process could be wrapped up a few days earlier, which would give officials more time to trace and include any voters missed during the Special Intensive Revision. He said that in several areas, Booth Level Officers have already completed distribution and collection, and will soon finish digitisation.

He also pointed out that digitisation camps have been set up in many locations where citizens can directly submit their forms.

“Through such a collective effort, I am confident we can complete the work before the stipulated deadline of December 4,” Kelkar told reporters at a digitisation camp in the capital. “This will give us time to focus on voters who may have been left out.”

Kelkar added that while finishing the procedure by November 26 is not mandatory, districts are free to set their own internal timelines. For overseas voters, a call centre and email facility have been created, and they may also authorise someone to submit forms on their behalf.

Once digitisation is completed, the draft electoral roll will be published on December 9, after which citizens can file claims and objections.