Ex-diplomat Navdeep Suri raises concern over SIR process
What's the story
Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter roll exercise of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Suri, who has served as India's envoy to several countries including the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, questioned the requirement for "unspecified documents" to prove citizenship. He shared his experience on social media platform X, detailing difficulties he faced during the SIR process in Punjab.
Citizenship proof
Suri's experience in Punjab
In his posts, Suri wrote about his experience with the SIR process in Punjab.
He said he submitted his Voter ID and Aadhaar card to a Booth Level Officer (BLO), who assured him that everything was in order.
However, he later received a message from a volunteer saying some details didn't match with the SIR records from 2003.
Document dispute
'If I have trouble establishing my citizenship...'
Suri then spoke to the BLO, who asked him to collect a notice and present unspecified documents proving his citizenship.
He replied that he wasn't in India in 2003 and was asked to provide his passport.
"I happen to have documents other than voter ID and Aadhaar card. But can't help asking: If I have trouble establishing my citizenship after representing India in three countries, what's the fate of the common citizen? Ease of Living, I presume!" Suri wrote.
Roll revision
SIR process implemented in other states
The SIR process was first implemented in Bihar in June 2025, resulting in the removal of over 60 lakh voters from the list.
In West Bengal, 90 lakh voters were deleted before an assembly election.
The ECI initially required voters not on the 2002 or 2003 electoral rolls to provide documentary proof linking them to legacy rolls.
Legal oversight
Supreme Court intervention and ECI's response
Initially, the ECI had 11 acceptable documents for verification, excluding Aadhaar. However, after a Supreme Court intervention, the list was expanded to include Aadhaar.
The court also made observations on the constitutional stakes involved in such processes.
While the ECI has powers to revise electoral rolls, these powers must conform to principles of transparency and natural justice.