1 day ago
Election Commission Reiterates SIR Declaration Rules Amid Database Concerns
The Election Commission is updating voter lists through a process called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
It said some voters must submit Form 6 or Form 8 along with an additional declaration form.
The Commission said people who submit that declaration do not need to provide other documents.
It said this rule has been used in Bihar and other states and Union Territories.
The Commission said the rule was approved unanimously.
It also pointed to a Supreme Court order that upheld the use of the declaration form.
Some reports raised concerns that the ECINet computer system gives too much control to the central election authorities.
The Commission said the system is decentralised and that authorised local and state election officials can perform their legal duties on it.
The Election Commission of India said applicants using the additional declaration form with Form 6 or Form 8 need not submit any other document.
The provision was included in SIR orders for Bihar, 12 states and Union Territories, and later 19 states and Union Territories.
The ECI said the SIR is being conducted under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The ECI cited a May 27 Supreme Court order upholding the declaration-form requirement.
The ECI denied claims that ECINet centralises electoral-roll control, saying authorised election officials retain statutory access through individual credentials.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, with concerns reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- The ECI reiterated that its SIR declaration form replaces the need for applicants to submit other documents and defended the design of its ECINet platform.
- Where
- The provisions apply in Bihar and other states and Union Territories covered by the SIR.
- When
- The clarification was issued on Thursday; cited SIR orders were dated June 24, October 27, and May 14, while the Supreme Court order was dated May 27.
- Why
- The ECI said the declaration form was introduced for voter convenience and that ECINet was designed to support statutory election functions and cybersecurity.
Election Commission Position
Reported Concerns
Declaration-form requirement
Election Commission Position
The ECI said the additional declaration form makes the process easier because applicants who submit it do not need to provide other documents, and it cited Supreme Court support.
Reported Concerns
The articles do not describe a specific opposing position on the declaration form itself, but the wider SIR process has prompted controversy.
ECINet control
Election Commission Position
The ECI said ECINet is a decentralised platform and that authorised election officials can perform their statutory functions using individual IDs and passwords.
Reported Concerns
A media report claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised concerns about gradual centralisation of the electoral-roll database and possible restrictions on Electoral Registration Officers.
Key facts
- Relevant forms
- Form 6 or Form 8 must be submitted with the additional Declaration Form, Annexure D, in the specified cases.
- Document requirement
- The ECI said applicants submitting the declaration form need not submit any other documents.
- Legal basis
- The SIR is being conducted under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- Coverage
- The provision was cited for Bihar, 12 states and Union Territories, and later 19 states and Union Territories.
- Court position
- The ECI said the Supreme Court upheld the declaration-form requirement in its May 27 order in ADR vs. ECI.
- ECINet access
- The ECI said Booth-Level Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, District Election Officers, and Chief Electoral Officers can use the platform with unique credentials.
- Cybersecurity
- The ECI said ECINet faced 68 lakh malicious hacking attempts on the day of legislative assembly elections held earlier this year.
Quotes
Election Commission of India
India’s constitutional body overseeing elections and the SIR process
“The Impugned SIR exercise neither stands in direct conflict with the RP Act and the 1960 Rules, nor does it detract from the constitutional imperative of free and fair elections.”
thehansindia.com
“Any new voter was required to submit Form 6 along with a Declaration Form in Annexure D of the Impugned Order.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Election Commissioners Challenge Form 6 Changes Linked to SIR
ECINet Officials Defend Decentralised System Amid Voter Roll Questions
India's Controversial Electoral Roll Revision Faces Internal and Public Scrutiny
ECINET Portal Now Accepts All 11 SIR Documents
Election Commission Silence Deepens Dispute Over Form 6 Changes
Delhi Poll Body Says SIR Notices Do Not Mean Deletion
West Bengal Announces Fresh Vehicle Permits and Bus Expansion
Supreme Court Tightens Rules For Commercial Use In Residential Areas
Supreme Court Upholds Ruling on Dua and Election Appeals
Allahabad High Court Bars Delays in Road Accident Treatment
NEET SS 2025 Special Stray Round Opens After Court Order
