The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to defer the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State, ahead of the 2025 Local Self Government Institution (LSGI) elections.
Justice V. G. Arun observed that similar matters are already pending before the Supreme Court and said judicial discipline required the High Court to refrain from intervening at this stage.
"Judicial discipline and comity also require this Court to refrain from entertaining the writ petition. For the aforementioned reasons, the writ petition is closed, leaving it open to the petitioner to move the Supreme Court or to approach this Court depending on the outcome of the petitions pending before the SC," the order stated.
The State had sought postponement of the SIR until December 21, 2025, arguing that conducting the exercise alongside the LSGI elections would hinder the smooth execution of the polls. 
Elections to the LSGIs are scheduled for December 9 and 11, with counting on December 13.
Opposing the plea, the Election Commission of India (ECI) submitted that more than half of the SIR process had already been completed and that halting it now would disrupt the ongoing revision. 
The SIR involves distribution of enumeration forms, preparation of draft rolls, decisions on inclusion or exclusion of voters, training of officials, and hearing of appeals.
As per the SIR timeline, enumeration by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) must be completed by December 4, 2025, submission of details by December 9, and final publication of rolls by February 7, 2026.
The State contended that the same BLOs and ERO/AERO officials required for the SIR were also needed for the LSGI election duties, creating an administrative conflict. 
While the ECI has exempted officers assigned to LSGI duties, the State argued that the limited pool of trained personnel made simultaneous deployment impractical.
The State further submitted that there was no urgent need to undertake the SIR immediately since the next Legislative Assembly elections are due only before May 24, 2026.
The petition was filed in State of Kerala v. The Election Commission of India and Ors. (WP(C) 42591/2025).

Election commission and Kerala High court

HC declines Kerala’s plea to pause voter roll revision ahead of LSGI elections

Kerala HC Declines Plea To Delay SIR

HC declines Kerala’s plea to pause voter roll revision ahead of LSGI elections

November 14, 2025 | 19:21 IST