Officials have urged eligible voters, particularly those residing overseas, to complete the necessary formalities within the stipulated timelines to avoid deletion or exclusion from the final electoral rolls
In a significant relief to voters residing abroad and those holding VIP status, Kerala’s election authorities have simplified the verification process during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Under the revised mechanism, VIP and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) voters will no longer be required to appear in person for hearings, provided they submit valid documents online for verification.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, Dr Rathan U Kelkar, said that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) are now empowered to complete the verification process digitally through the ERO Net platform. The system, which has recently become fully operational, allows officials to scrutinise submitted documents and finalise applications without insisting on physical presence, as long as the paperwork is found to be in order.
The move addresses concerns raised earlier this month, when reports highlighted the difficulties faced by voters who were initially registered as ordinary electors but later became expatriates. Many such voters risked deletion from the electoral rolls as they were unable to attend mandatory in-person hearings during the SIR process due to their overseas residence. The revised approach is expected to prevent large-scale disenfranchisement and ensure greater inclusivity.
The response from the public has been substantial. Since the publication of the draft SIR electoral rolls in Kerala, nearly 1.98 lakh fresh applications have been submitted for inclusion in the voters’ list. Of these, 44,106 applications were received from individuals seeking registration as NRI voters, reflecting growing awareness among expatriates about their electoral rights
Kerala has one of the largest overseas populations in the country, with more than 22 lakh Keralites living abroad. However, despite this sizeable diaspora, fewer than one lakh expatriate voters are currently enrolled in the state’s electoral rolls. Election officials believe that procedural hurdles and lack of awareness have contributed to this gap, which the new online verification facility aims to narrow.
To register as an expatriate voter, eligible applicants must submit Form 6A, with a valid passport serving as the primary supporting document. The Election Commission has reiterated that expatriate voters can only vote in person at their designated polling stations in India, as online or postal voting is not currently permitted for this category.
