UP Electoral Office Permits Relatives to Submit Voter Documents for Absent Individuals
The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, has issued a significant clarification regarding the process for voter list inclusion during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026. In cases where individuals have received notices for failing to map their details during the 2003 SIR, close relatives are now authorized to submit the necessary documents on their behalf, even in the voter's absence.
Authorized Relatives and Eligible Circumstances
According to the detailed announcement by Rinwa, a total of twelve specific categories of relatives are permitted to act on behalf of the concerned individual. The authorized relatives include:
- Husband
- Wife
- Brother
- Sister
- Son
- Daughter
- Mother
- Father
- Grandfather
- Grandmother
- Uncle
- Aunt
This provision has been thoughtfully introduced to address various unavoidable personal situations that might prevent individuals from submitting their documents personally. Eligible circumstances include hospitalization, being bedridden due to illness, pursuing education in a different location, or working in another state. The Election Commission of India included this option to ensure that genuine voters are not excluded from the electoral rolls due to such unavoidable personal circumstances.
Submission and Verification Process
The documents must be submitted directly to the Booth Level Officer (BLO), who holds the responsibility for verification at the local level. The BLO will carefully review the submitted materials to ensure authenticity and compliance with electoral regulations. This step is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the voter list while accommodating those who cannot be physically present.
Draft Electoral Rolls Display and Voter Verification
In a separate but related announcement, Rinwa revealed that draft electoral rolls will be displayed once again across Uttar Pradesh on January 31. The display will take place from 11 am to 4 pm at all polling stations throughout the state. During this period, BLOs will not only show the draft rolls that were originally published on January 6 but will also present separate lists detailing voters who have been excluded for specific reasons.
The exclusion lists will include voters removed due to:
- Death
- Migration to another area
- Duplicate entries in the system
- Prolonged absence from the locality
- Non-submission of signed enumeration forms
Voters across Uttar Pradesh have been strongly advised to visit their respective polling booths to verify their names on the electoral rolls. This proactive verification helps ensure accuracy and prevents potential issues during elections.
Application Procedures for Inclusion and Corrections
For individuals whose names are missing from the draft rolls, the electoral office has outlined clear application procedures. They can apply for inclusion by submitting Form 6 along with a declaration to their local BLO. Alternatively, applications can be made through the ECINET and voters.eci.gov.in online portals, providing a digital option for greater convenience.
For voters who need to make corrections to existing entries in the electoral rolls, Form 8 should be used. This form allows for updates to details such as address changes, name corrections, or other necessary modifications.
Eligibility for Young Voters
The electoral office has also emphasized that young citizens who have turned 18 years of age on or before January 1, 2026, are eligible to apply for voter registration during this process. This inclusion ensures that first-time voters can participate in the democratic process without delay.
This comprehensive approach by the Uttar Pradesh electoral office demonstrates a commitment to both accessibility and accuracy in voter registration, balancing technological processes with human considerations for special circumstances.
