The Election Commission of India has released the much-anticipated draft electoral roll for Kerala, following a special intensive revision drive. The new list reveals a significant reduction in the total number of voters in the state.
Significant Drop in Total Voter Count
The revised draft list, published on 23 December 2025, shows a substantial decline in the number of enrolled voters. The total count has dropped from 2,78,50,855 to 2,54,42,352. This represents a net elimination of 24,08,503 names from the previous list, a move aimed at cleaning up the electoral database and removing duplicate or ineligible entries.
Breakdown of the New Voter Demographics
The freshly published draft roll provides a detailed gender-wise breakdown of the electorate. According to the data, the state now has 1,23,83,341 male voters and 1,30,58,731 female voters. Notably, the list also includes 280 persons registered under the third-gender category, reflecting a more inclusive electoral process.
This special intensive revision is a routine but critical exercise conducted periodically to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the voter list. It involves door-to-door verification and allows citizens to file claims and objections to correct any discrepancies in their enrollment details.
Implications for the Political Landscape
The publication of the draft list marks the beginning of a crucial period for political parties and civil society organizations. They will now scrutinize the list and help eligible voters register or correct their information before the final roll is published. A clean and updated voter list is fundamental to conducting free and fair elections.
The substantial reduction in numbers highlights the scale of the revision process. It underscores the Election Commission's efforts to purge the list of:
- Names of deceased individuals.
- Duplicate entries.
- Voters who have permanently shifted residence.
- Any other ineligible entries.
With Kerala being a politically active state where elections are often closely contested, an accurate voter list is paramount. The final electoral roll, which will be prepared after addressing all claims and objections, will form the basis for future elections in the state.
