Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram attacked the Election Commission of India over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. His remarks came after former diplomat Navdeep Suri said he faced problems during the SIR process in Punjab. Chidambaram claimed the exercise could create a new class of non-voting citizens across India, raising concerns about voting rights.
Chidambaram attacks ECI over SIR process
Chidambaram criticised the Election Commission of India over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He accused the ECI of creating a new category of citizens who may have citizenship but could be left without the right to vote.
In a post on X, Chidambaram said, “Based on the outcomes so far, at the end of the S.I.R. process, 10% of India’s adult population will be ‘citizens’ but without the right to vote, thanks to the ECI. That is nearly 10 crore people. The ECI has created a new category of ‘non-voting citizens’.”
Navdeep Suri raises questions over citizenship verification
Chidambaram’s remarks came after former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri shared his experience with the SIR process in Punjab.
Suri, who served as India’s Ambassador to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and as High Commissioner to Australia, said some of his details did not match the 2003 electoral rolls being used for verification.
He said he was posted in London in 2003 and had not taken part in that electoral roll revision. Suri said he first visited the Booth Level Officer and submitted his voter ID and Aadhaar card.
“Sharing my experience with #SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted Voter ID and Aadhaar card, was assured that everything is in order. Got a message today from a volunteer saying some details don’t match with SIR in 2003!!” Suri said on X, adding that officials later asked him to produce his passport as proof.
Suri later said he was asked to collect a notice and return with documents showing that he was an Indian citizen.
“Spoke with BLO, was told that I should come and collect the notice. And then come again with unspecified documents that show I am an Indian citizen. Replied that I was not in India in 2003, so they’ve asked for passport as proof,” he said.
Navdeep Suri questions fate of common citizens
Suri questioned the experience of ordinary citizens if a former diplomat who represented India in three countries also faces problems during the verification process.“If I have trouble establishing my citizenship after representing India in the three countries, what’s the fate of the common citizen? Ease of Living, I presume!”
Punjab CEO says voters should not worry about notices
The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer has said that receiving a notice during the SIR process is not a reason to worry. Voters have been asked to check their details, submit the required documents and complete the verification process.
“As part of the ongoing SIR process, notices are being delivered to voters where required. Received a notice? Don’t worry! Simply check the details, submit the required documents, and complete the process,” the Punjab CEO said on X earlier.
Punjab SIR draft electoral roll published
The draft electoral roll for Punjab was published on August 13. The state is now in the second phase of the SIR process. This stage allows voters to check the draft roll and file claims and objections where required.
