'Represented Indian in 3 nations': Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri as name missing from Punjab electoral roll
PTC News Desk: Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri with over three decades of services and representing the country in several nations is now facing an unlikely challenge back home. He has now been informed that his details for 2003 do not match with the documents he submitted for electoral roll revision in Punjab.
“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!” Suri, who has served in Egypt, UAE and Australia, wrote in a series of posts on X.
A former Indian envoy with service spanning across 1983 to 2019, Suri said that he was told that his documents do not match and he was asked to come again with appropriate documents that establish that he is an Indian citizen.
.@ECISVEEP
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! — Navdeep Suri (@navdeepsuri) August 23, 2026
He said he faced difficulties proving his citizenship despite having represented India in three countries. He questioned what ordinary citizens would have to go through if someone like him faced such problems.
He said, “If I have trouble establishing my citizenship after representing India in three countries, what’s the fate of the common citizen?”
So far, neither the Election Commission of India, the state government nor the Centre has issued an official statement on the matter.
Earlier, AAP leader Somnath Bharti also claimed that he could not find his name in the 2002 electoral roll, despite graduating from IIT Delhi in 1997 and later studying law in the national capital. Bharti also raised concerns over reports that around 2-3 million names could be removed during the revision process.
SIR in Punjab
The Draft Electoral Roll 2026 for all 117 Assembly constituencies in Punjab was recently published as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra said.
With the publication of the draft roll, the second phase of the SIR exercise has begun. People can submit claims and objections between August 13 and September 12, 2026.
The notice and disposal process for these claims and objections will continue until October 8, while the final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on October 12, 2026.
- With inputs from agencies
