3 hrs ago
Congress Raises Concerns Over SIR Voter Deletion Risk
The Election Commission of India is checking voter lists through a process called SIR.
Some voters have received notices asking them for more documents.
Congress says this could unfairly remove many people from the voter list, especially poorer people, women, and people living in slums.
It also says many names have already been removed or could be removed.
Delhi’s election official says getting a notice does not automatically remove anyone.
Eligible voters whose names are missing from the draft list can submit Form 6 with documents.
They can do this online or in person.
The deadline mentioned for Delhi is September 30.
Congress called the Special Intensive Revision process a method of disenfranchising Indians and urged the Election Commission of India to address concerns.
Jairam Ramesh claimed 54% of Delhi voters have either been deleted or face deletion risk.
Congress said 5.43 crore voters across 14 states and Union territories received notices seeking additional documentation to prove citizenship.
Ramesh said more than 6 crore voter names were removed during the enumeration phase and urged states to publish lists of voters at risk.
Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer Ashok Kumar said receiving a notice does not mean deletion and that affected eligible voters can file Form 6 by September 30.
- Who
- The Congress, Jairam Ramesh, the Election Commission of India, and Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ashok Kumar.
- What
- Congress raised concerns that the SIR process could lead to voter names being deleted, while Delhi’s election official said notices do not automatically mean deletion.
- Where
- Delhi and 14 states and Union territories in India.
- When
- The statements were issued on Monday; Delhi voters can submit claims and objections until September 30.
- Why
- Congress wants the Election Commission of India to explain voter deletions, documentation requirements, and the publication of lists of voters at risk.
Congress’s Concerns
Election Officials’ Clarification
Risk of voter deletion
Congress’s Concerns
Congress said the SIR process places millions of voters at risk of deletion and called it a method of disenfranchising Indians.
Election Officials’ Clarification
Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ashok Kumar said receiving a notice does not mean a voter’s name will be deleted from the final list.
Impact on voters
Congress’s Concerns
Congress said deletions disproportionately affect socially and economically marginalised groups, including slum dwellers, low-income people, and women.
Election Officials’ Clarification
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer said eligible people whose names are absent from the draft roll can seek inclusion by filing Form 6 with supporting documents.
Transparency
Congress’s Concerns
Congress urged every state to release lists of voters at risk of deletion and questioned why additional voters face deletion after earlier removals.
Election Officials’ Clarification
The Delhi election authorities provided a claims process and online and offline submission options, but the article does not report a response to Congress’s broader transparency demand.
Key facts
- Delhi notices
- Notices were sent to 31.63 lakh Delhi electors during the SIR.
- Nationwide notices
- Congress said 5.43 crore voters across 14 states and Union territories received notices.
- Delhi deletion risk
- Jairam Ramesh claimed 54% of Delhi voters have either been deleted or face deletion risk.
- Earlier removals
- Congress said more than 6 crore voter names were removed during the enumeration phase.
- Documentation
- The notices seek additional documentation to prove citizenship, according to Congress.
- Correction process
- Eligible people missing from the Draft Electoral Roll may file Form 6 with supporting documents.
- Deadline and channels
- Claims can be submitted until September 30, offline through election officials or online through the Election Commission portal and ECINET Mobile App.
Quotes
Jairam Ramesh
Congress General Secretary in charge of communications and Congress MP
“CEO claims ‘There is no existential crisis’. Unless voters provide adequate documentation to the satisfaction of the BLO/ERO, they can be struck off the final roll. So they remain at risk of deletion. Very serious concerns have been raised about the SIR process. The ECI must address these concerns about a process that has become a Method Of Disenfranchising Indians.”
thehansindia.com
“There is no existential crisis”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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