EC Clarifies Parent Details Rule in Voter Roll Revision Is Not a New Requirement

New Delhi, July 2026 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday clarified that the requirement for new applicants seeking inclusion in electoral rolls to provide details about their parents’ status in previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises is not a newly introduced rule, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

According to Election Commission sources, the provision was first implemented during the Special Intensive Revision conducted in Bihar last year and has since become an integral part of the voter verification process. The requirement applies to both fresh applicants submitting Form 6 and existing eligible voters who may have been left out during earlier revision exercises.

Officials explained that the initiative was introduced in June last year as part of the Bihar SIR exercise to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls by establishing family linkages. The system enables election authorities to connect new applicants with existing electoral records, thereby reducing the need for extensive documentation while strengthening verification procedures.

Following its successful implementation in Bihar, the Election Commission has now extended the same administrative framework to other states and Union Territories where the ongoing Special Intensive Revision is being conducted. The poll panel said this ensures uniformity in the voter verification process across the country and helps maintain consistency during different phases of the revision exercise.

Under the revised verification process, applicants are required to declare whether their own names, or those of their father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother, were included in previous electoral rolls prepared during earlier SIR exercises. Election officials said this family-based verification mechanism enhances the integrity of electoral rolls while making it easier for genuine applicants to establish their eligibility.

The Commission reiterated that the objective of the Special Intensive Revision is to prepare clean, accurate and updated electoral rolls. The exercise, which began in phases from Bihar in 2025, involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) carrying out door-to-door verification using pre-filled forms. The process seeks to remove names of deceased persons, duplicate entries, individuals who have permanently shifted residence, and other ineligible voters while ensuring that all eligible citizens remain on the rolls.

The Bihar exercise alone resulted in the deletion of nearly 47 lakh names, accounting for around six per cent of the state’s electorate, after extensive verification. Election Commission officials described the exercise as transparent, constitutional and consistent with judicial guidelines governing electoral roll revisions.

The poll body also clarified that applicants who are unable to submit the required documents immediately will not be automatically excluded. Instead, they will be issued notices and provided sufficient opportunity to furnish the necessary information or rectify discrepancies before any final decision is taken.

Reaffirming its commitment to free and fair elections, the Election Commission urged eligible citizens to actively participate in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision and cooperate with Booth Level Officers during the verification process. Officials added that voters can also verify their details through the Election Commission’s online portal or seek assistance from local election officials to ensure their names are correctly reflected in the electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections.