In a strongly worded statement, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India for its decision to conduct a special summary revision of electoral rolls in the state without prior consultation with the state government.
The Chief Minister expressed deep concern over what he termed as the "unilateral decision" by the poll body, emphasizing that such moves could potentially lead to the exclusion of genuine voters from the electoral list.
Government's Major Concerns
The Kerala government has raised several critical issues regarding the timing and implementation of this revision:
- Lack of proper consultation with state authorities
- Potential disruption during the academic examination period
- Risk of eligible voters being left out of the electoral process
- Inadequate time for proper verification and inclusion procedures
Timing Under Scrutiny
Chief Minister Vijayan specifically highlighted that the revision process coincides with the crucial period of Plus Two and VHSE examinations in the state. This timing, according to the government, could create unnecessary complications and hinder the participation of young voters who are preparing for their academic assessments.
"The state government had specifically requested the Election Commission to reschedule the revision to avoid this conflict with examination schedules," the CM stated, expressing disappointment that these concerns were not addressed.
Call for Collaborative Approach
The Kerala government has urged the Election Commission to adopt a more collaborative approach in such matters, emphasizing that state governments possess valuable ground-level insights that could contribute to smoother electoral processes.
This development comes at a time when Kerala is preparing for upcoming elections, making the integrity and comprehensiveness of voter lists particularly crucial for ensuring fair democratic representation in the state.
