Names of Rathan U. Kelkar and family members missing from SIR: Chief Electoral Officer appeared before BLO for evidence collection

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The draft voter list prepared as part of the SIR does not include the names of State Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar and his family members. Although the names were there earlier, they were excluded when they could not be compared with the 2002 voter list. Rathan Khelkar, who had applied to add his name again, appeared in person before the BLO yesterday with the documents.

An application was filed under Form 6 to add the names of Rathan Khelkar's wife Deepa Sampath and son Devik. Following this, Kowdiar BLO Arshad issued a notice to produce the documents. Accordingly, the documents were produced in person yesterday morning. Rathan Khelkar himself handed over his son's document as he is abroad.

In 2002, Rathan Khelkar was in Bengaluru, so he could not get his name included in the voter list at that time. The names of his parents could not be found in the 2002 SIR voter list. Khelkar's name was excluded as a result.

Khelkar, who arrived at Kowdiar to submit documents, spoke to those who had come there for evidence collection and understood the issues. He said that intensive efforts are being made to include all eligible voters in the final voters' list to be released on February 21. The last date for filing complaints is January 22. He clarified that although the Supreme Court has directed that this be extended, it is up to the Central Election Commission to take a decision.

Till yesterday, the state has received 4.11 lakh new applications and 76,239 applications from non-resident voters.