Kerala government announces urgent measures to ensure inclusion of all eligible voters in electoral rolls

The Kerala government has decided to take urgent steps to ensure that all eligible persons are included in the voters’ list, according to a press release issued by the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

District Collectors have been directed to take time-bound action to help people who lack adequate documents to obtain them on a war-footing. The government has stated that no fee will be charged for issuing such documents during this period. Any existing fees will be waived.

To assist the public in enrolling their names in the electoral rolls, the Cabinet had earlier decided to set up adequate help desks at the local level. District Collectors have been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing hearing centres wherever required. The services of volunteers and an adequate number of officials must be arranged at the centres. Facilities for submitting application forms online will also be made available at all help desks. The IT department has been instructed to reduce the fees charged by Akshaya Centres for such services.

The press releases added that the government has also directed that booth level officers be appointed within two days at polling stations, where such appointments have not been made or where vacancies exist.