Sat Jan 17 12:14:03 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Fresh Voter Enrolment Applications Surge in Kerala After Draft Electoral Roll Publication
The Story:
Following the publication of the draft electoral roll on December 23, 2025, in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Kerala has witnessed a significant increase in applications for fresh voter enrolment. According to an update from the office of Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala) Rathan U. Kelkar, over 4.8 lakh applications have been filed until January 17, 2026. This includes both Form 6 applications for new voters and Form 6A applications for overseas electors.
The draft roll published on December 23 contained over 2.54 crore voters, including 1.30 crore female voters, 1.23 crore male voters, and 280 transgender voters. However, 24.08 lakh names were deleted, and 19.32 lakh names were listed as ‘unmapped,’ indicating they could not be linked to the 2002 SIR roll used as the base list.
Key Points:
- Over 4.8 lakh applications for fresh voter enrolment have been filed since the draft electoral roll publication on December 23, 2025.
- 4,11,578 Form 6 applications (new voters) and 76,239 Form 6A applications (overseas electors) have been filed.
- 4,664 Form 7 applications (objections against inclusion/deletion) were received.
- The draft roll included 2.54 crore voters but also showed 24.08 lakh deletions and 19.32 lakh unmapped names.
Critical Analysis:
The related historical context highlights concerns about the SIR process. The January 17, 2026 report of a KPCC delegation meeting with the Kerala CEO indicates that the SIR is considered a “harrowing and vexing” experience for voters. This aligns with the substantial number of deleted and unmapped names revealed in the primary article. The surge in new applications suggests a potential reaction to these issues, with citizens seeking to ensure their inclusion in the electoral roll. The older names were unmapped relative to the 2002 rolls, indicating potentially outdated information and a pressing need to refresh the rolls.
Key Takeaways:
- The SIR process in Kerala has likely faced challenges, resulting in a significant number of deletions and unmapped voter records.
- Public concern about the SIR’s efficacy appears to be driving increased voter enrolment applications.
- The Election Commission faces the task of effectively addressing voter concerns and ensuring accurate and inclusive electoral rolls.
- Political parties are actively engaging with the Election Commission, reflecting the high stakes surrounding the electoral process.
Impact Analysis:
The large-scale revision and subsequent influx of applications highlight the need for modernized and user-friendly voter registration systems in Kerala. The success of the SIR in achieving a truly representative and accurate electoral roll will have a considerable impact on future elections, potentially influencing voter turnout and election outcomes. A failure to address the “harrowing and vexing” experiences reported by the KPCC delegation risks undermining public confidence in the electoral process. Streamlining the mapping process and providing clearer information to voters are crucial steps for ensuring a fair and democratic election.
First Piper 