Mon Jan 05 14:39:03 UTC 2026: Summary:

Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve has voiced concerns that individuals on the “no mapping list” in Ernakulam district, compiled during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, might be excluded from the final voter list. Only a small fraction of the 206,061 people in this category have received hearing notices, despite the document verification already undertaken by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The minister highlighted discrepancies in the State Election Commission’s stance, as they initially indicated that document verification by BLOs would exempt people from hearings. To address the issue, the government plans to establish help desks in village offices to assist citizens and ensure their inclusion in the final electoral rolls. Rajeeve clarified that the government doesn’t believe the “no mapping” list is community-targeted, but stresses the importance of preventing disenfranchisement due to technical errors.

News Article:

Voter Roll Concerns Raised in Ernakulam; Government to Establish Help Desks

KOCHI, January 5, 2026 – Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve has expressed apprehension over the potential exclusion of voters from the final electoral rolls in Ernakulam district due to issues surrounding the “no mapping list” compiled during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Speaking Monday, the Minister stated that of the 206,061 individuals identified in the “no mapping” category, only 4,642 have received notices for scheduled hearings, a process which will conclude on January 28. Thripunithura Assembly constituency has the highest number with 33,023, followed by Ernakulam and Thrikkakara with 26,544 and 24,650 respectively.

Rajeeve highlighted a perceived contradiction in the State Election Commission’s procedure. He pointed out that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) had already verified and uploaded documents for approximately 52,216 individuals in Ernakulam, based on earlier assurances that this would exempt them from appearing for hearings. Now, the commission is insisting on hearings for everyone.

“This issue could have been avoided if the commission had stuck to its initial plan,” Rajeeve stated, emphasizing the need to prevent citizens from being disenfranchised due to technicalities.

To mitigate potential problems, the government announced the establishment of help desks in all village offices, staffed by at least two officials, to assist the public in ensuring their names are correctly included in the final voter rolls.

The Minister clarified that the government does not believe the “no mapping” list is intended to target any specific community, but reiterated the government’s commitment to prevent any citizen from losing their right to vote due to technical errors.

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