The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought separate responses from the Election Commission (EC) on petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The Supreme Court directed the EC to file its responses within two weeks.
The petitions were filed by DMK, CPI(M), West Bengal Congress unit, and TMC leaders against the SIR process in both states. The court also allowed the AIADMK party's petition, which supports the SIR in Tamil Nadu, to be included in the hearing.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the Madras High Court and Calcutta High Court not to hear further petitions challenging the SIR in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
On October 27, the EC announced that the SIR process would be conducted in 12 states and union territories from October 28 to February 7. Bihar is the first state where SIR has been implemented.
Prashant Bhushan had raised the issue Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing on behalf of the non-governmental organisation 'Association of Democratic Reforms' last Friday, had said that this issue goes to the roots of democracy. Following this, a bench of Justices Suryakant and Joymalya Bagchi said it would begin hearing these petitions from November 11.
The entire process will end on February 7 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been visiting door to door since November 4 to update the voter list in 12 states and union territories of the country. The Election Commission informed that BLO training for the voter list SIR in these states took place from October 28 to November 3. The entire process will conclude on February 7.
The voter list will be updated in SIR. New voter names will be added, and errors found in the voter list will be corrected.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission told the Madras High Court on Monday that there is no need for any apprehension regarding SIR. The final voter list will be published only after objections are considered.
SIR will be in these 12 states
- Andaman Nicobar
- Chhattisgarh
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Kerala
- Lakshadweep
- Madhya Pradesh
- Puducherry
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
Around 51 crore voters in 12 states There are about 51 crore voters in the 12 states with SIR. For this work, 5.33 lakh BLOs (Booth Level Officers) and more than 7 lakh BLAs (Booth Level Agents) will be deployed by political parties.
During SIR, BLOs/ BLAs will provide forms to voters. Voters have to match their information. If a voter's name is in the voter list at two places, it will have to be removed from one place. If the name is not in the voter list, a form will have to be filled out to add it, and relevant documents will have to be submitted.
What documents are valid for SIR
- Pensioner Identity Card
- Identity card issued by any government department
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- 10th Marksheet
- Permanent Residence Certificate
- Forest Rights Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Name in National Register (NRC)
- Name in Family Register
- Land or House Allotment Letter
- Aadhaar Card
SIR What is the purpose?
The SIR from 1951 to 2004 has been completed, but the last 21 years are still pending. During this long period, many changes are necessary in the voter list. Such as people's migration, having names in two places in the voter list.
Names remaining even after death. Removal of foreign citizens' names if they appear on the list. No eligible voter should be missed from the list, and no ineligible voter should be included in the electoral roll.
Also know...
What to do if your name is removed from the list? You can appeal for one month based on the draft electoral roll. You can appeal against the ERO's decision to the DM, and against the DM's decision to the CEO.
Where to complain or seek assistance?
Call Helpline 1950. Contact your BLO or District Election Office.
Why was Bihar's electoral roll added to the documents? If a person wants to include their name in the electoral roll in any of the 12 states and presents an excerpt from Bihar's post-SIR list, which includes their parents' names, they will not be required to submit additional proof of citizenship. Only proof of date of birth will be sufficient.
Is Aadhaar recognized as proof of identity? Following the Supreme Court's directive in September, the Election Commission instructed Bihar election officials to accept Aadhaar cards as an additional document to establish the identity of voters.
The Commission has clarified that Aadhaar will only be accepted as proof of identity, not as proof of citizenship.