SIR: govt. to open help desks for voters

The State government has directed District Collectors to open help desks to provide assistance to voters omitted from the draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and those on the ‘unmapped’ list so that they can add their names to the roll.

The help desks are to be opened at the village offices, an order issued by K. Biju, Secretary, General Administration Department, said. Village offices that lack space have been directed to open the help desks at nearby buildings.

The decision comes in the wake of the Election Commission of India (EC) declining the State government’s request to extend the deadline for submitting the enumeration forms. The State government noted that the Absent/Shifted Dead (ASD) list has over 24.08 lakh names and the ‘unmapped’ voters’ list 19.32 lakh names. The latter consist of people between the ages of 18-40 whose relationship details have to be mapped with those of parents or grandparents in 2002 SIR roll.

“It is important to ensure that all eligible voters in the State are enrolled on the voters’ list and that no eligible voter is left out,” the order dated December 26 says.

The help desks will be manned by two officers under temporary duty arrangement.

The services of Anganwadi workers, ASHA and Kudumbasree workers should be arranged to carry out field visits to tribal settlements, high ranges, coastal areas, and backward regions to identify such voters and provide them the necessary assistance, the order says.

District Collectors have also been asked to organise awareness campaigns to encourage young voters to enrol on the list, it says.