Navdeep Suri, a former diplomat, raised issues with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Punjab, saying that he was having trouble while establishing his citizenship. Suri took to X to raise the matter, mentioning that he represented India in three different countries but now was having trouble while establishing his citizenship during the electoral roll updation drive in the country.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Navdeep Suri said, “Dear @ECISVEEP, 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!”
“.@ECISVEEP 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,” Suri said.
Continuing sharing his struggle to complete the SIR process, Suri said, “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!”
As part of the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision, the exercise to update the electoral role in the country is being conducted in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana, and Uttarakhand. The Union Territories covered are the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Chandigarh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Voters’ Names Being Struck Off Roll in Uttarakhand Under SIR’s Garb, Alleges Congress
Earlier on Thursday, Congress raised questions about the Election Commission’s impartiality and alleged that voters in Uttarakhand are being arbitrarily removed from the electoral rolls under the pretext of an “SIR” which it earlier termed “Systematic Identification and Removal”.
The party claimed that no action is being taken on voters’ complaints and the EC did not give them time even after several attempts to seek an appointment.
Party leaders from Uttarakhand, led by AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttarakhand Kumari Selja, sought a meeting with the EC but the delegation was not allowed to enter its office.
With inputs from PTI