NEW DELHI: Former diplomat Navdeep Suri on Sunday mentioned he was going through “bother establishing his citizenship” through the ongoing Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Punjab, regardless of having represented India in three international locations.In a put up on X, Suri shared his expertise with the voter roll revision and mentioned he was requested to supply “unspecified paperwork” to ascertain that he was an Indian citizen.“Sharing my expertise with #SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted Voter ID and Aadhaar card, was assured that every part is so as. Bought a message at the moment from a volunteer saying some particulars don’t match with SIR in 2003!” Suri mentioned.He mentioned that after chatting with the booth-level officer (BLO), he was requested to gather a discover and return with paperwork proving his citizenship.“Spoke with BLO, was informed that I ought to come and accumulate the discover. After which come once more with unspecified paperwork that present I’m an Indian citizen. Replied that I used to be not in India in 2003, in order that they’ve requested for passport as proof,” he added.Suri mentioned he had paperwork aside from his voter ID and Aadhaar, however questioned what the method would imply for abnormal residents.“I occur to have paperwork apart from voter ID and Aadhaar card. However can’t assist asking: If I’ve bother establishing my citizenship after representing India in three international locations, what’s the destiny of the frequent citizen? Ease of Dwelling, I presume!” he mentioned.Former ambassador Navdeep Sur has served as India’s excessive commissioner to Australia and ambassador to UAE and Egypt.The SIR was first launched in Bihar in June 2025. Following the train, greater than 60 lakh names, together with these of deceased voters, have been faraway from the electoral rolls. In West Bengal, round 90 lakh voters have been deleted from the rolls forward of the meeting elections.Underneath the SIR course of, voters who weren’t included within the 2002 or 2003 electoral rolls are required to submit paperwork linking them to folks included in these legacy rolls. The Election Fee of India (ECI) had initially listed 11 acceptable paperwork, excluding Aadhaar.
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Following proceedings within the Supreme Court, the ballot panel expanded the record to incorporate Aadhaar as a suitable doc.The Supreme Court docket has additionally made observations on the broader constitutional implications of the train, stressing that whereas the ECI has the ability to revise electoral rolls, these powers can’t be “untrammelled” and should adjust to rules of transparency and pure justice.
