Amid Gyanesh Kumar Protest, EC Announces Special Drive for Voters Left Out During SIR

New Delhi: Amid questions being raised regarding removal of a large number of names from the voter list during Special Intensive Revision or SIR, the Election Commission has directed to run a special campaign in 20 states and union territories. The SIR process has been completed at these places. Now the focus of the Commission is on including the names of those eligible citizens in the voter list, who were left out during the revision due to some reason. Youth and first-time eligible citizens who vote will also come under its purview.

Why did the Election Commission direct the special drive?

The purpose of the Commission's direction is to continuously update the electoral roll and ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of his right to vote merely because his name is omitted during the process. According to the report, a letter in this regard was sent to the Chief Electoral Officers of all the concerned states on September 29. After this, instructions regarding this campaign were reiterated in the video conference held with the officials.

Which form has to be filled to get name added after SIR?

In states and union territories where SIR has been completed, common Form 6 can now be used for inclusion of name in the electoral roll. According to the Commission, the additional declaration form used during SIR will no longer be necessary. After the expiry of the SIR period, the normal procedure prescribed under the Voters Registration Rules, 1960 will apply.

How will the missing voters be identified?

Election officials have been asked to compare the voter lists before and after SIR. Its purpose is to identify eligible voters whose names have been removed from the list but the reason for their removal is not duplicate records, death or transfer to another place. In such cases, booth level officers may be asked to contact the concerned voter and help in filling Form 6.

Will the help of political parties and booth level agents also be taken?

The Commission has asked the officials to also take the help of political parties and their booth level agents in the campaign to identify eligible voters. According to reports, the issue has come into focus after a large number of names were removed from the draft voter list during SIR. In such a situation, the new campaign of the Commission focuses on reaching out to the eligible voters who have been left out.

What came to light from the case of 97 voters in Goa?

There was a case of 97 such people in Goa, who were considered eligible by the election officials, but their names could not be included in the final voter list. According to the Commission, a large number of these people later applied through Form 6. According to reports, in some cases people were found to be holding Portuguese passports, while some were living outside India. This case also highlights the need to identify the left out eligible voters.

What is the arrangement in the states where SIR is still going on?

Where SIR is currently running, instructions have been given to simplify the process even in cases of notices issued to 'unmapped' voters. In such cases it will not be necessary for every person to personally appear before the election officer. If needed, booth level officers can go home and collect documents and upload them on the online system for further verification.

Who will get a chance now in 20 states?

After completion of SIR in 20 states and union territories including Bihar and West Bengal, emphasis is now being laid on adding the names of eligible but left out voters. Along with this, the process of including youth who vote for the first time in the voter list will also continue. The Commission has directed officials to continuously update the voter list and help eligible citizens in the application process.