Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Kerala Seeks SIR Deferral Amidst Workload Concerns and Election Clash
The Kerala government is asking the Supreme Court to stop a special voter list update process (SIR) until after local elections.
This is because the SIR is happening at the same time as local elections, which could cause problems.
Meanwhile, workers in charge of updating voter lists in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan are protesting because they have too much work and not enough time, which is making them very stressed.
Some of them even think the stress caused two of their colleagues to die.
They are asking for more help and time to do their job.
Some politicians are also involved, demanding that the work be stopped until after the elections.
Kerala government petitions Supreme Court to defer Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls until after local body elections
State argues simultaneous conduct of SIR and local polls could lead to administrative impasse and voter exclusion
BLOs in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan protest excessive workload and stress during SIR process
Protests follow deaths of BLOs Ajeesh George in Kerala and Mukesh Jangid in Rajasthan, allegedly due to work pressure
Trade unions and opposition parties demand postponement of SIR until after local body elections and better working conditions for BLOs
- Who
- Kerala government, Booth-level officers (BLOs) in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Tamil Nadu's revenue employees federation, Rajasthan Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi
- What
- Kerala government's petition to defer SIR process and protests against excessive workload during SIR
- When
- November 2023 (Kerala), November 18 onwards (Tamil Nadu), November 2023 (Rajasthan), local body elections in December 2023, SIR deadline on December 4, 2023
- Where
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan
- Why
- Clash with local body elections, excessive workload and stress during SIR process
Employees and Opposition Parties
Government and Election Commission
Workload and Stress
Employees and Opposition Parties
Employees claim excessive workload and stress, leading to deaths of Ajeesh George in Kerala and Mukesh Jangid in Rajasthan.
Government and Election Commission
Government acknowledges workload but emphasizes the importance of completing the SIR process promptly.
Election Concerns
Employees and Opposition Parties
Kerala government argues that conducting SIR during local body elections threatens election fairness and causes administrative confusion.
Government and Election Commission
Election Commission maintains that the SIR process is necessary and can be completed within the given timeline.
- SIR Deadline
- December 4, 2023
- Local Body Elections
- December 9 and 11, 2023
- Kerala BLO Death
- Ajeesh George
- Rajasthan BLO Death
- Mukesh Jangid
- Tamil Nadu Boycott Start Date
- November 18, 2023
- Kerala Protest Date
- November 2023
- Rajasthan Protest Date
- November 2023
- Kerala's Petition Request
- Defer SIR until after local body elections
Sources
Statewide BLO Protests After Kerala Officer’s Death
IUML moves SC seeking halt to SIR in Kerala amid ongoing local bodies polls
TN revenue employees federation to boycott SIR work from Nov 18
Two suicides, BLO protests threaten to disrupt SIR in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan
Kerala faces political storm as suicide of BLO sparks row over SIR pressure and threats
BLOs boycott SIR works across Kerala after officer’s suicide
Rajdeep and TNM pushed a Kerala BLO suicide SIR angle while reports cited CPM pressure
Kerala Govt Moves SC to Defer SIR Exercise Until Local Body Polls
Kerala achieves 96 pc enumeration in SIR; concerns remain over coverage, timing
