Insaaf Times Desk

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a historic and unanimous resolution appealing to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately suspend the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state. The move comes in view of the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 assembly elections in Kerala.

The resolution, presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, stated that the SIR appears to be an indirect attempt to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Citing the SIR process in Bihar, he described it as “politics of exclusion” and warned that a similar exercise in Kerala could pose a threat to democratic values.

Under the proposed SIR, individuals born after 1987 are required to provide proof of their parents’ citizenship, while those born after 2003 must submit certificates for both parents. The Assembly termed this demand as contrary to the principle of universal suffrage.

Referring to the 2002 voter list as a baseline was criticized as “unscientific,” given that it is over 23 years old and has undergone numerous changes since.

Officials have already been appointed for the SIR process, coinciding with preparations for local body elections, which could create administrative conflicts. The Assembly emphasized that disenfranchising voters for failing to submit documents would violate constitutionally guaranteed voting rights.

The resolution, moved under Rule 118, received unanimous support from both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), marking a rare display of political consensus and reflecting the state’s political maturity.

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Ratan Kelkar had already appealed to the Election Commission on September 21 to suspend the SIR, citing the practical challenges posed by officials handling dual responsibilities. The ECI has not yet issued an official response.

The Kerala Assembly’s resolution is not only crucial for safeguarding the state’s democratic processes but also sends a strong message nationwide on the protection of voter rights and electoral reforms. It now falls on the Election Commission to seriously consider the resolution and ensure that the voter list revision process is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with constitutional rights.