PTC Web Desk: The second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has started in Punjab, with notices being issued to voters whose entries could not be mapped with the earlier electoral records.

The Election Commission has asked voters not to panic if they receive a notice. The notice is part of the verification process and voters can establish their eligibility by submitting the required documents within the given time.

The Election Commission's voter service portal also provides dedicated options to search names in the previous SIR roll and to submit documents against notices issued during SIR 2026.

The documents required during the verification process depend mainly on the voter's date of birth. The rules also provide an important benefit to people whose names, or those of their parents, can be linked to the relevant old electoral roll.



Why are some Punjab voters receiving SIR notices?

During SIR, electoral records are being checked and linked with earlier rolls. If a voter's current entry cannot be mapped with the previous record, the Election Registration Officer (ERO) may seek additional documents.

A notice does not automatically mean that a person's name has been deleted from the voter list. It means the voter may have to provide information or documents to establish the required details.

The Election Commission has also provided an online facility through its voter portal for submitting documents against an SIR notice.

First check the old SIR voter list

Before collecting a large number of documents, voters should first check whether their own name or a parent's name appears in the previous SIR electoral roll.

The ECI's portal has a “Search your name in last SIR E-Roll” facility. The search can be carried out using elector details and other information. The Commission has also cautioned that spellings may differ between old and current records, so voters may need to try variations of a name while searching.

For Punjab, the relevant old electoral record mentioned in the SIR process is the January 1, 2003 electoral roll.

If the required old record is found, it can make the verification process much easier. ECI material says electors whose names are present in the January 1, 2003, roll are required to submit the Enumeration Form along with an extract of the roll, without needing additional documents.

Which documents are required according to age?

The document requirement changes according to the voter's date of birth.

1. Born before July 1, 1987

If the ERO asks for documents, a person born before July 1, 1987 has to provide a document establishing their date or place of birth.

Examples of documents that may be used include birth certificate, Indian passport or matriculation or educational certificate issued by a recognised board

The Election Commission's SIR guidelines specifically provide for a document relating to the elector for this category.

2. Born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004

People born during this period may have to provide two documents:

One document relating to themselves

One document relating to either their father or mother

The purpose is to establish the required personal and parental link during verification.

3. Born after December 2, 2004

For voters born after December 2, 2004, the requirement is generally three documents:

One document belonging to the voter

One document belonging to the father

One document belonging to the mother

This is because the verification requirement extends to both parents for this age group.

What documents can be used?

The documents required will depend on the issue mentioned in the notice. For date-of-birth verification, documents that clearly mention the date of birth can be useful. These may include a birth certificate, Indian passport, recognised board certificate, PAN card or driving licence, subject to the applicable SIR document requirements.

For place of birth or eligibility-related verification, documents such as a relevant residence or domicile certificate, passport or government/local-body family register may be considered where applicable.

Voters should read the notice carefully and submit documents according to the specific requirement mentioned by the ERO rather than submitting unrelated papers.

What if your name is already in the 2003 voter list?

This is one of the most important points for voters. If the voter's own name or the name of a parent appears in the January 1, 2003 electoral roll, the old record can help establish the electoral link. The ECI has made the previous SIR electoral data available through its voter service portal. Therefore, voters who receive a notice should first check the old roll before arranging additional documents.

What if your name is in the 2003 list but is still unmapped?

There can be cases where a person's name appears in the old electoral roll but the present entry has not been successfully mapped. This may happen because of differences in spelling, personal details or other information between the old and current records.

In such cases, voters should not ignore the notice. They should check the old record carefully and submit the required information or documents as instructed by the ERO.

The ECI's online search facility itself notes that spellings can vary between older SIR records and current electoral details.

What should you do after receiving an SIR notice?

Voters receiving a notice should follow these steps:

Step 1: Read the notice carefully and identify the reason for verification.

Step 2: Check your name and, where relevant, your parents' names in the January 1, 2003 electoral roll.

Step 3: Identify the documents required according to your date of birth and the issue mentioned in the notice.

Step 4: Keep copies of the required documents ready and submit them within the deadline mentioned in the notice.

Step 5: Follow the instructions provided by the ERO/AERO for physical submission or verification.

The ECI voter portal also currently provides an option to submit documents against a notice issued under SIR 2026.

Can documents be submitted online?

Yes. The Election Commission's Citizen Service Portal provides online services related to SIR 2026, including an option to submit documents against a notice.

Voters can use the official ECI voter portal for SIR-related services and to search the previous electoral roll.

If a voter is unable to complete the process online, they should follow the instructions in the notice and contact the election office concerned.

Keep the submission receipt safe

After submitting documents or an online response, voters should keep the acknowledgement or receipt safely.

It can be useful later if there is any question about whether the documents were submitted within the required period.

Voters should also avoid ignoring an SIR notice simply because their name appears on the current voter list.

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1. What is SIR 2026?

SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. It is a process used by the Election Commission to verify and update voter records.

2. Why did I receive an SIR notice?

You may receive a notice if your current electoral entry could not be mapped or verified against the relevant previous electoral records and the ERO requires additional information or documents.

3. Does receiving a notice mean my vote has been cancelled?

No. A notice is part of the verification process. If you receive one, follow the instructions and submit the required documents within the specified time.

4. What should a person born before July 1, 1987 submit?

If documents are requested, the person generally needs a document relating to themselves to establish the required date or place of birth.

5. What is required for people born from July 1, 1987 to December 2, 2004?

They generally need two documents — one for themselves and one for either their father or mother.

6. What documents are required for those born after December 2, 2004?

They generally need three documents — one for themselves, one for their father and one for their mother.

7. Why is the 2003 voter list important?

The January 1, 2003 electoral roll can provide an important link for establishing an existing electoral record. ECI material says electors whose names are in that roll do not need to submit additional documents beyond the specified electoral-roll extract and Enumeration Form.

8. Where can I search my old voter record?

The ECI's Citizen Service Portal has a “Search your name in last SIR E-Roll” facility. It allows voters to search using elector details and other information.

9. Can I submit documents online after receiving a notice?

Yes. The ECI voter portal provides a “Submit Document Against Notice issued” facility under SIR 2026.

10. What should I do if I am confused about the SIR process?

Read the notice carefully and contact the election officials concerned  for clarification. The Election Commission's voter service portal lists 1950 as its toll-free contact number.

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