New voters must provide parents’ SIR details to get on electoral rolls: Election Commission

New Voters Required to Submit Parents’ SIR Information for Electoral Roll Inclusion

New voters must provide parents SIR details – The Election Commission (EC) has mandated that both current voters not included in prior Special Intensive Revision (SIR) records and newly registered applicants must provide details of their parents’ SIR entries to maintain or join the voter list. This directive applies to those filing Form 6 as part of the process.

As part of the Bihar SIR initiative launched in June of the previous year, the EC introduced a new requirement for new voters to submit a declaration alongside their Form 6 submissions. The process was implemented via instructions rather than modifying the form itself.

EC Clarifies SIR Process and Its Objectives

According to EC officials, the addition of the declaration aims to streamline voter verification by linking individuals to their families. “This helps in mapping electors and reduces the number of documents needed for application,” one official explained.

“Daily SIR bulletins from Bihar show the form filled with accompanying declarations,” said an EC functionary.

For online Form 6 applicants, the declaration is a prerequisite before finalizing their registration. The EC also emphasized that the SIR process is constitutionally sound and supported by the Supreme Court, highlighting its transparency and fairness.

Addressing Concerns Over Voter Deletion

Despite criticisms from UN rapporteurs, the EC defended the SIR process, stating it ensures the inclusion of all eligible citizens while removing duplicates, deceased, or relocated voters. Officials rejected claims of systematic bias, particularly against minority communities in regions like Nandigram, West Bengal.

In a recent communication, UN Special Rapporteurs raised concerns about the SIR’s transparency, alleging potential disparities in voter exclusion. The EC refuted these allegations, asserting that voters have sufficient avenues to contest removals from the rolls.