IUML moves SC seeking stay on SIR in Kerala amid local body polls
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Malappuram: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has approached the Supreme Court seeking an immediate stay on the Special Interim Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala, arguing that the process cannot legally or practically run alongside an ongoing election.
The party contends that with the State Election Commission already notifying local body polls scheduled in two phases on December 9 and 11, the continuation of SIR would create administrative conflicts, confuse voters, and overburden field-level officers.
In its petition, the IUML stated that conducting a statewide revision of electoral rolls during an active election violates established electoral conventions and threatens the integrity of the poll process. The party highlighted that the two parallel exercises – one by the State Election Commission for local polls and another by the Election Commission of India for SIR – would inevitably clash at the operational level, particularly for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) tasked with duties for both processes.
The plea also referred to a tragic incident reported on Sunday, in which a Booth Level Officer in Kannur reportedly died by suicide due to extreme work pressure linked to the SIR process, sparking widespread concern among employee unions and political parties.
Last week, the Kerala state government had approached the High Court seeking a postponement of the SIR until after the local body elections. The court declined to intervene, advising the State to move the Supreme Court, noting that similar matters are already pending before the apex court.
Meanwhile, both the CPI(M) and Congress have announced plans to approach the Supreme Court with similar demands, indicating broad political consensus in the State against conducting the SIR during an active election cycle. The state unit of the BJP, however, has decided to stay away from the issue.
The matter is now expected to receive urgent consideration by the Supreme Court.
With IANS inputs