Quality of the Electoral Rolls in Kerala: Issues, Concerns and Prospects

Abstract

The presence of massive duplicate entries of electors in the electoral rolls of the recently concluded assembly elections (2021) reignited debate in Kerala and even drew national attention. Given this background, this paper explores the possible magnitude of discrepancies of electors in the electoral rolls of the state considering the demographic trajectories of its electoral population. To assess the magnitude of electoral roll discrepancies, the electors enumerated in the electoral rolls used for state assembly elections were compared to the projected electoral population in the electoral age groups (18+) using the Cohort Component Method. Approximately five lakh male electors must be removed from the electoral roll, while three lakh missing female electors must be identified and added to the roll to make it more comprehensive and authentic. These findings exhibit significant incongruities in the electoral roll, necessitating the intervention of the Election Commission in purifying the existing electoral roll of the state.