NEW DELHI, JUL 12 (PTI): The Election Commission (EC) has made it mandatory for new applicants seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls to submit their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) details along with Form 6.
According to EC officials, the declaration was introduced during the Bihar SIR launched in June last year and has since been made compulsory for new voters.
While the requirement has been introduced through instructions, Form 6 itself has not been amended.
An EC official said the declaration helps map electors and reduces the number of supporting documents that new applicants need to submit. Those applying online cannot proceed further unless the declaration is completed.
Meanwhile, EC defended the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls, rejecting concerns raised by United Nations rapporteurs and asserting that the exercise is transparent, constitutional and supported by the Supreme Court.
Officials said the SIR aims 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 in Nandigram, West Bengal, EC said voters had adequate opportunities to challenge exclusions and denied any bias in the process.
The clarification came after UN Special Rapporteurs, in a recent letter to the government, raised concerns over the SIR, alleging that the exercise lacked transparency.
The EC maintained that the revision was being conducted strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and existing electoral laws, and reiterated that the objective was to prepare accurate and updated electoral rolls while safeguarding the voting rights of all eligible citizens.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026