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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new requirement for individuals applying to be included in the electoral rolls. From now on, all new applicants submitting Form 6 for voter registration must provide details to their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) records as part of the verification process.

What Has Changed?

According to the Election Commission, every new voter applying through Form 6 will now have to furnish a declaration containing their parents’ SIR details. The requirement has been implemented through ECI instructions and is already integrated into the online voter registration system, where applicants cannot complete the process without filling in the required declaration.

Why Has the EC Introduced This Rule?

The poll panel says the move is aimed at:

• Verifying the identity of new applicants more efficiently.
• Linking new voters with existing electoral records.
• Reducing the need for additional supporting documents.
• Improving the accuracy of electoral rolls by identifying duplicate or incorrect entries.

Officials maintain that the new requirement is intended to make voter verification faster and more transparent while ensuring that only eligible Indian citizens are added to the electoral rolls.

What Is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an Election Commission exercise carried out to update and verify electoral rolls. It aims to:

• Include all eligible voters.
• Remove duplicate entries.
• Delete names of deceased or permanently shifted voters.
• Improve the overall accuracy of voter lists.

Has Form 6 Been Officially Amended?

According to Election Commission officials, the declaration has been made mandatory through administrative instructions rather than a formal amendment to Form 6 itself. However, applicants filing online must complete the declaration before their application can be submitted.

EC Responds to Concerns

The Election Commission has defended the SIR process, stating that it is constitutional, transparent, and designed to ensure that electoral rolls remain accurate. The Commission also said the exercise is intended to strengthen the integrity of the voter database by ensuring that eligible citizens are included while removing ineligible entries.