Tue Oct 28 11:17:32 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

Kerala CM Condemns Election Commission’s Voter Roll Revision as “Challenge to Democracy”

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, October 28, 2025 – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its decision to implement a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across several states, including Kerala. He argues the move, based on outdated voter lists from 2002-2004, undermines the democratic process and violates existing electoral laws.

Vijayan highlighted that the ECI’s decision contradicts its own mandate of promoting voter participation, citing the removal of 6.5 million voters in Bihar under similar circumstances. He alleges the SIR is a backdoor attempt to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and manipulate voter lists in favour of the ruling party at the Centre. He also said the ECI CEO had said that this SIR was not feasible at this time due to the local elections

“The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right,” Vijayan stated, adding that the revision’s timing raises serious concerns given the upcoming local body elections in Kerala. He urged the ECI to reconsider its decision and called upon democratic forces nationwide to resist the SIR, echoing a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Echoing the CM’s concerns, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan labeled the SIR a politically motivated tactic designed to disrupt the election process. He pointed to the mysterious removal of long-time voters from the rolls and accused the ruling BJP of sabotaging free and fair elections. He cautioned that the ECI’s involvement in such efforts would “gravely undermine democracy.”

The controversy surrounding the SIR intensifies amid ongoing legal challenges in the Supreme Court regarding its constitutional validity. Critics argue the hasty implementation of the revision, without proper preparation or consultation, signals an attempt to undermine the people’s mandate and manipulate the outcome of future elections.

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