The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, starting with the Bihar Election, to weed out ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants. Those not on the last-conducted 2003 SIR, especially people born before July 1, 1987, must now furnish proof of place and date of birth to be on the voter list. The ECI says the process aligns with Article 326 of the Constitution of India, and by the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
As an observer of Indian electoral processes, I believe that while the ECI’s move is constitutionally mandated and aims to ensure that only eligible citizens are included, but it also places a significant documentation burden on ordinary voters. I emphasize the need for the ECI to balance the integrity of the electoral roll with accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that genuine citizens are not inadvertently disenfranchised due to procedural complexities.
π¨π« Sudesh Kumar
π sudeshkumar.com
*WHAT'S REQUIRED FROM VOTERS TO BE ON ELECTORAL ROLL?*
1. π️π¨️ Voters enrolled after 2003 or new applicants must submit a pre-filled enumeration form, distributed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during house-to-house visits, along with a self-attested declaration of citizenship.
2. π️π¨️ They must also provide one of 11 eligible documents, such as a birth certificate or passport, to prove their place and date of birth.
3. π️π¨️ For those born before July 1, 1987, only personal proof is needed. Those born thereafter need to provide parental documents too.
4. π️π¨️ Those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, will need to provide proof of place and date of birth along with documents of their mother or father.
5. π️π¨️ For those born after December 2, 2004, proof of place and date of birth and documents of both parents would be needed.
6. π️π¨️ Voters listed in the 2003 roll are presumed eligible unless contradictory evidence emerges.
7. π️π¨️ Documents can be submitted in person or via the ECINET app.
Linkππ»♀️ https://www.sudeshkumar.com/2025/07/special-intensive-revision-sir.html