EC makes parents' SIR details mandatory for new voter registration in Karnataka
The Election Commission of India has made it mandatory for new voter applicants in Karnataka and across the country to submit their parents' Special Intensive Revision (SIR) details to be included in the electoral rolls. The rule, which prevents applicants from completing their online registration without this declaration, has led to confusion and struggles among voters in Karnataka.
Under the new instructions issued by the Election Commission (EC), individuals filling out Form 6 for inclusion in the voter list must attach the SIR details of their parents. This rule also applies to existing voters who were not covered in previous SIR cycles, who must submit these details to remain on the electoral rolls.
The online registration system has been updated to enforce this requirement. If an applicant attempts to fill out Form 6 online, they cannot proceed further with the application until the parental SIR declaration is completed.
According to EC officials, the mandatory declaration was first introduced in Bihar's SIR rollout in June last year, where new voters were required to file the declaration alongside Form 6. EC functionaries stated that the change was implemented through administrative instructions rather than an amendment to Form 6 itself.
The EC has defended the measure, stating that it helps map electors and reduces the volume of supporting documents that new voters need to submit with their applications. Officials added that the overall SIR process aims to include all eligible Indian citizens while removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent, and foreign voters from the rolls.
However, the process has faced criticism. UN Special Rapporteurs recently sent a letter to the government raising concerns over the SIR, alleging that the process lacks transparency. There have also been allegations of large-scale deletions of minority voters, including in Nandigram, West Bengal.
The EC rejected these concerns, asserting that the process is transparent, constitutional, and endorsed by the Supreme Court. Officials denied any bias and maintained that voters are given adequate opportunities to challenge any exclusions from the rolls.
