Election Commission of India Makes Parents’ SIR Details Mandatory for New Form 6 Voter Applications, Rejects UN Concerns
The Election Commission of India has made parents' SIR details mandatory for new Form 6 voter registration applications and rejected UN concerns over the Special Intensive Revision process.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a new directive regarding voter registration, making it mandatory for new voters to provide their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) information while submitting Form 6 for inclusion in the electoral roll. The Commission also rejected objections raised by United Nations Special Rapporteurs regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, stating that the exercise is transparent, constitutional, and conducted in accordance with Supreme Court directions.
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Parents’ SIR Information Mandatory for New Form 6 Applications
The Election Commission of India said that all new applicants seeking to have their names included in the voter list for the first time must provide details related to their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) while submitting Form 6.
According to the Commission, this requirement is applicable not only to existing voters who were not included during the previous SIR exercise but also to all first-time applicants seeking registration in the electoral roll.
Purpose of the New Requirement
Election Commission officials said that providing parents’ SIR information will help ensure accurate identification of voters and simplify the verification of records.
Officials added that the new requirement will also reduce the need for new voters to submit additional supporting documents.
The Commission further stated that applicants submitting Form 6 online will not be able to complete the application process unless the required SIR declaration relating to their parents is filled in.
It clarified that the declaration has been introduced through official instructions and that no changes have been made to the original structure of Form 6.
Election Commission Rejects UN Concerns Over SIR
The Election Commission of India also rejected objections raised by United Nations Special Rapporteurs regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
According to the Commission, the objective of the SIR exercise is to include all eligible Indian citizens in the voter list while removing names that are:
- Duplicate
- Deceased
- Permanently shifted
- Long-term absent
- Foreign citizens
Allegations of Minority Voter Deletion Rejected
The Commission also dismissed allegations that a large number of minority voters, particularly in Nandigram, West Bengal, had been removed from the electoral rolls.
Officials said that every person whose name was removed from the voter list was given a full opportunity to file an appeal or raise objections.
According to the Election Commission, the entire process is being carried out in a transparent, constitutional manner and in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court.
UN Had Raised Transparency Concerns
It may be recalled that United Nations Special Rapporteurs recently wrote to the Government of India, expressing concerns over transparency in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
However, the Election Commission rejected all the concerns and reiterated its stand on the exercise.
The Election Commission of India has made parents’ SIR information mandatory for new Form 6 voter registration applications and has rejected concerns raised by United Nations Special Rapporteurs over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The Commission said the exercise aims to include all eligible Indian citizens, remove ineligible entries, and is being conducted transparently, constitutionally, and in line with Supreme Court directions.
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