Final electoral roll published in Kerala; total voters stand at 2.69 crore after revision

Kerala's Voter List Finalized at 2.69 Crore After Intensive Revision

The Election Commission of India marked a key milestone on Saturday by releasing Kerala's final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision exercise. This comprehensive update brings the total number of eligible voters in the state to 2,69,53,644. That's a notable dip from the pre-revision figure of 2,78,50,855, primarily due to the removal of 8,97,211 names identified as ineligible during the process. The revision, which used January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date, ran from November 4, 2025, to January 30, 2026, aiming to clean up the rolls and make them more accurate for future polls.

Breaking down the demographics, the list now includes 1,31,26,048 male voters, 1,38,27,319 female voters, and 277 transgender voters. Women continue to outnumber men, reflecting a trend seen in recent years. Additionally, there are 4,24,518 voters in the crucial 18-19 age group, many of whom are first-time participants eager to cast their ballots. Overseas voters total 2,23,558, while service voters number 54,110, ensuring broader representation. This final count shows an increase of over 15 lakh voters from the draft list released in December 2025, which had 2,54,42,352 names.

Significant Deletions and Ongoing Updates to Boost Accuracy

The SIR drive was no small feat, with authorities issuing notices to 36.88 lakh voters for verification hearings. Out of these, 53,229 were ultimately excluded from the final roll after scrutiny. Between January 31 and February 16, an extra 4,01,368 applications poured in for inclusions, corrections, or deletions, and these are now under review by the Chief Electoral Officer. Political parties have received copies of the updated list for their own checks, a standard step to maintain transparency. Voters unhappy with their status can still approach officials, and names can be added right up to the last date for filing nominations in the assembly elections.

"This rigorous revision process has strengthened the foundation of our democracy by ensuring only genuine voters are on the rolls, paving the way for fair and credible elections in Kerala," said an Election Commission official during a press briefing.

Compared to the 2024 parliamentary elections, which had 2,77,49,159 voters, the new roll reflects a reduction of about 7,95,515 names. Yet, some constituencies bucked the trend. In Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Dharmadam seat, the count rose slightly to 2,04,696 from 1,99,115. On the other hand, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan's North Paravur constituency saw a drop to 1,89,626 from 1,98,783. These shifts highlight the localized impact of the cleanup efforts across Kerala's 140 assembly segments.

How Voters Can Access and Verify the New Rolls

Making it easy for everyone, the ECI has put the final rolls online via the official electoralsearch portal, where people can quickly search for their names using basic details. Booth-level lists are also available at Electoral Registration Officers' offices and on the Chief Electoral Officer's website, with display starting February 21. First-time voters aged 18-19 without their EPIC cards, along with those who shifted homes and sought corrections, will get their voter IDs delivered home by Booth Level Officers. This voter-friendly approach underscores the commission's commitment to accessibility.

The process wraps up the SIR for Kerala, distinct from the State Election Commission's list of 2,86,07,658 used for 2025 local body polls. Supplementary lists will incorporate recent applications, potentially nudging the total higher. As Kerala gears up for assembly elections, this polished voter database promises smoother operations and higher integrity. Citizens are urged to verify their details promptly to avoid last-minute hurdles.

In summary, Kerala's final electoral roll at 2.69 crore voters post-SIR reflects meticulous work to delete ineligible names while adding genuine ones, with online access ensuring easy checks ahead of polls.