EC drive: Citizenship, birth proof mandatory for voters

Patna/New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced the launch of a special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, its first such revision since 2003, in a bid to clean the voter list and ensure the inclusion of only eligible citizens. The move is part of a broader nationwide exercise to uphold the integrity of the electoral rolls and prevent the inclusion of ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants.The SIR in Bihar will start on Wednesday with the 2003 electoral roll being treated as the base draft. No fresh documents will be required from voters who were listed in the 2003 roll, unless contrary inputs are received. "The electoral roll of 2003 shall be treated as probative evidence of eligibility, including presumption of citizenship," the ECI said.However, all other voters – those enrolled after 2003 and new applicants – will be required to submit a pre-filled enumeration form along with a self-declaration of Indian citizenship. They must also furnish documentary proof of their date and place of birth. This requirement applies to both existing and new electors.As per the guidelines, the declaration form must state, "I hereby declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief I am above 18 years of age, an ordinary resident at the above address and a citizen of India." In addition, the declaration must specify the basis of citizenship – by birth, registration or naturalization – with appropriate documents attached.For those born in India prior to July 1, 1987, any of 11 specified documents, such as identity cards issued before that date, birth certificates, Class X certificates, caste or domicile certificates, or land allotment documents, can serve as proof. If born between July 1, 1987 and Dec 2 2004, proof of the parent's citizenship is also mandatory. For births after Dec 2, 2004, further evidence including the non-Indian parent's passport and visa at the time of the applicant's birth must be submitted.Those born outside India must provide a birth registration issued by an Indian mission abroad or a certificate of registration of Indian citizenship, if applicable.The pre-filled enumeration forms, printed by the electoral registration officer (ERO), will include updated photos, Aadhaar numbers (optional), contact details and EPIC numbers of family members. These forms will be distributed by booth level officers (BLOs) during house-to-house visits and voters can either submit the filled forms in person or upload them through the ECINET app. The BLOs will collect the forms and attached documents during a subsequent visit.In cases where eligibility is in doubt, EROs or assistant EROs will carry out field inquiries and issue a formal speaking order on whether the person should be included or excluded from the roll. All submitted documents will be uploaded to the ECINET system for transparency."This is a historic step. Strictly in accordance with Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens above 18 years of age and ordinary residents can vote from today onwards," a senior ECI official told the reporters.The last SIR in Bihar was conducted in 2003-04. Since 1952, such revisions have occurred 13 times across the country. The new SIR was ordered under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and aims to address issues such as urban migration, demographic changes, and the inadvertent inclusion of foreign nationals.Chief electoral officers (CEOs), district election officers (DEOs), EROs and BLOs have been directed to ensure that genuine voters, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, are not inconvenienced. Volunteers may be deployed for assistance.Political parties will be actively involved in the revision process through their appointed booth level agents (BLAs), who can raise objections, make claims and appeal decisions even after final rolls are published.The ECI reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness throughout the revision while minimising inconvenience to electors.Patna/New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced the launch of a special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, its first such revision since 2003, in a bid to clean the voter list and ensure the inclusion of only eligible citizens. The move is part of a broader nationwide exercise to uphold the integrity of the electoral rolls and prevent the inclusion of ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants.The SIR in Bihar will on Wednesday with the 2003 electoral roll being treated as the base draft. No fresh documents will be required from voters who were listed in the 2003 roll, unless contrary inputs are received. "The electoral roll of 2003 shall be treated as probative evidence of eligibility, including presumption of citizenship," the ECI said.However, all other voters – those enrolled after 2003 and new applicants – will be required to submit a pre-filled enumeration form along with a self-declaration of Indian citizenship. They must also furnish documentary proof of their date and place of birth. This requirement applies to both existing and new electors.As per the guidelines, the declaration form must state, "I hereby declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief I am above 18 years of age, an ordinary resident at the above address and a citizen of India." In addition, the declaration must specify the basis of citizenship – by birth, registration or naturalization – with appropriate documents attached.For those born in India prior to July 1, 1987, any of 11 specified documents, such as identity cards issued before that date, birth certificates, Class X certificates, caste or domicile certificates, or land allotment documents, can serve as proof. If born between July 1, 1987 and Dec 2 2004, proof of the parent's citizenship is also mandatory. For births after Dec 2, 2004, further evidence including the non-Indian parent's passport and visa at the time of the applicant's birth must be submitted.Those born outside India must provide a birth registration issued by an Indian mission abroad or a certificate of registration of Indian citizenship, if applicable.The pre-filled enumeration forms, printed by the electoral registration officer (ERO), will include updated photos, Aadhaar numbers (optional), contact details and EPIC numbers of family members. These forms will be distributed by booth level officers (BLOs) during house-to-house visits and voters can either submit the filled forms in person or upload them through the ECINET app. The BLOs will collect the forms and attached documents during a subsequent visit.In cases where eligibility is in doubt, EROs or assistant EROs will carry out field inquiries and issue a formal speaking order on whether the person should be included or excluded from the roll. All submitted documents will be uploaded to the ECINET system for transparency."This is a historic step. Strictly in accordance with Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens above 18 years of age and ordinary residents can vote from today onwards," a senior ECI official told the reporters.The last SIR in Bihar was conducted in 2003-04. Since 1952, such revisions have occurred 13 times across the country. The new SIR was ordered under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and aims to address issues such as urban migration, demographic changes, and the inadvertent inclusion of foreign nationals.Chief electoral officers (CEOs), district election officers (DEOs), EROs and BLOs have been directed to ensure that genuine voters, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, are not inconvenienced. Volunteers may be deployed for assistance.Political parties will be actively involved in the revision process through their appointed booth level agents (BLAs), who can raise objections, make claims and appeal decisions even after final rolls are published.The ECI reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness throughout the revision while minimising inconvenience to electors.