EC Makes Parents’ SIR Details Mandatory for New Voters
Election Commission says declaration will help verify electoral records and simplify document requirements
- EC mandates parents’ SIR details for new voter registration through Form 6.
- Online applications cannot proceed without the required declaration.
- Poll body defends Special Intensive Revision as transparent and constitutional.
- EC rejects allegations of bias and large-scale deletion of minority voters.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th July: The Election Commission (EC) has made it mandatory for new applicants seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls to provide their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) details while submitting Form 6, extending the requirement beyond existing voters not covered in previous revisions.
According to Election Commission officials, the declaration was introduced through administrative instructions during the Bihar Special Intensive Revision exercise launched in June last year. While Form 6 itself has not been amended, applicants are now required to submit the declaration along with the registration form.
Officials said the provision helps map electors more accurately and reduces the number of supporting documents new voters need to submit. They added that applicants filing Form 6 online cannot complete the registration process unless the declaration is filled.
The Election Commission also defended the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, rejecting concerns raised by United Nations Special Rapporteurs over the exercise.
EC officials maintained that the revision process is transparent, constitutional and has the backing of the Supreme Court. They said the objective is to ensure that all eligible Indian citizens are included in the electoral rolls while removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent and foreign voters.
Responding to allegations of large-scale deletion of minority voters, including claims related to West Bengal’s Nandigram, the Commission said adequate opportunities are available for affected voters to challenge exclusions and denied any bias in the exercise.
The clarification comes after UN Special Rapporteurs recently raised concerns with the Government of India, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision lacked sufficient transparency. The Election Commission has maintained that the exercise is being conducted in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.
