Sat Jan 17 16:04:07 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer Subject to Voter Roll Scrutiny Amid Special Intensive Revision Debate

The Story:

Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Rathan U. Kelkar, found himself subject to the same scrutiny he oversees as he attended a hearing regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls on Saturday, January 17, 2026. This comes amid widespread debate over the issuance of summons to voters for hearings under the SIR. Mr. Kelkar’s name was reportedly “unmapped” to the 2002 SIR roll, which is being used as the base roll for the current revision.

The CEO attended the hearing at the Kowdiar village office after receiving a notice and presented the necessary documents. According to election officials, a total of 19.32 lakh voters in Kerala are currently considered “unmapped.”

Key Points:

  • Rathan U. Kelkar, the Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala), attended a hearing related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.
  • Mr. Kelkar’s name was “unmapped” to the 2002 SIR roll.
  • The hearing took place at the Kowdiar village office on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
  • 19.32 lakh voters in Kerala are currently considered “unmapped.”
  • The SIR process is currently generating debate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident highlights potential systemic issues within the voter roll mapping process in Kerala.
  • The fact that the CEO himself was flagged as “unmapped” raises questions about the accuracy and efficiency of the Special Intensive Revision.
  • The high number of “unmapped” voters (19.32 lakh) suggests a significant challenge for electoral administration.
  • This news underscores the importance of transparent and fair voter registration processes.
  • The SIR process is politically sensitive, evidenced by the debate surrounding it.

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