The Election Commission (EC) has issued instructions making it compulsory for new voters applying through Form 6 to provide their parents' Special Intensive Revision (SIR) details. This requirement applies not only to existing voters not covered in previous SIR drives but also to new applicants seeking inclusion in the voter list, according to EC officials.
Background of the Mandate
The declaration was first added during the Bihar SIR launched in June last year. New voters were required to file the declaration along with Form 6. An EC functionary stated, "Daily SIR bulletins of Bihar showed the form filled along with declarations." The official emphasized that the declaration was introduced through instructions and Form 6 itself has not been amended.
Purpose and Implementation
The EC official explained that the move "helps in mapping electors and reduces the documents new voters need to submit along with the application." If a person fills Form 6 online, they cannot proceed further until the declaration is completed.
Defense of SIR Process
Separately, the poll authority defended the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, rejecting concerns and asserting that the process is transparent, constitutional, and endorsed by the Supreme Court. EC officials said the SIR aims to include all eligible Indian citizens while removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent, and foreign voters from electoral rolls.
Response to Allegations
Responding to allegations of large-scale deletion of minority voters, including in Nandigram, West Bengal, EC officials stated that voters had adequate opportunities to challenge exclusions and denied any bias.
