National/ ECI Desk
13 July
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Journalist And Research Analyst
The Election Commission (EC) has made it mandatory for new voters to provide their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) details while applying for inclusion in the electoral roll. According to officials, this requirement is not only for older voters who missed the earlier SIR process but also for every new applicant submitting Form 6 to register as a voter.
The new rule was first introduced during the Bihar SIR exercise last year. Since then, every new voter has been required to submit a declaration along with Form 6 confirming the necessary SIR information. Officials clarified that this requirement has been added through special instructions and not by amending Form 6 itself. They said the measure helps in correctly identifying voters and reduces the number of supporting documents needed. Applicants filling out Form 6 online cannot complete the process without submitting the required declaration.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has defended the SIR process against criticism and concerns raised by various groups. It stated that the exercise is transparent, constitutional, and backed by Supreme Court guidelines. According to the Commission, the main objective of the SIR process is to ensure that all eligible Indian citizens are included in the voter list while removing duplicate entries, deceased voters, people who have shifted their residence, absentee voters, and foreign nationals to maintain the accuracy and credibility of electoral rolls.
