New Delhi:
A former envoy of India to a number of nations together with the UAE and Egypt has requested a query to the Election Fee of India, searching for readability on the voter roll clean-up train particular intensive revision (SIR). He additionally raised some extent about “unspecified paperwork” for proving citizenship regardless of having represented India in three nations.
Former ambassador Navdeep Suri, who had additionally served as India’s excessive commissioner to Australia, in a number of posts on X detailed his irritating expertise of coping with the SIR course of.
“Sharing my expertise with SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted voter ID and Aadhaar card, was assured that all the pieces is so as. Received a message immediately from a volunteer saying some particulars do not match with SIR in 2003!” he stated in one of many posts.
“Spoke with BLO, was advised 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.
“I occur to have paperwork aside from voter ID and Aadhaar card. However can not help asking: If I’ve hassle establishing my citizenship after representing India in three nations, what is the destiny of the widespread citizen? Ease of Residing, I presume!” the previous diplomat stated.
.@ECISVEEP
I occur to have paperwork aside from voter ID and Aadhaar card. However can not help asking:
If I’ve hassle establishing my citizenship after representing India in three nations, what is the destiny of the widespread citizen?
Ease of Residing, I presume!— Navdeep Suri (@navdeepsuri) August 23, 2026
BLO is brief for sales space degree officer, who serves as a key level of public interface for the SIR course of.
This isn’t the primary occasion when an individual who has been in public life discovered their identify lacking or with some error in respect to the SIR checklist. Such issues have been ultimately clarified and closed after a correct look.
The SIR was first launched in Bihar in June 2025. After the train, over 60 lakh voters, together with those that have died, have been faraway from the voter checklist. In West Bengal, 90 lakh voters have been deleted from the checklist earlier than the meeting election.
The SIR wants voters who weren’t a part of the 2002 or 2003 electoral rolls to present documentary proof linking them to folks current in these legacy rolls. Initially, the ECI prescribed 11 acceptable paperwork, excluding the Aadhaar.
After the matter reached the Supreme Courtroom, the ballot physique expanded the checklist to incorporate Aadhaar. The courtroom had additionally made essential observations underscoring the broader constitutional stakes.
The ECI could have powers to conduct electoral roll revisions, however these powers couldn’t be “untrammelled” and should conform to rules of transparency and pure justice.
