Hyderabad, other districts residents may require documents for possible nationwide SIR revision process.
On September 10, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will convene a crucial meeting in Delhi, bringing together all the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from various states to review preparations, strategies, and upcoming challenges related to elections across the country.
Hyderabad Residents May Need Documents as Election Commission Mulls Nationwide Voter List Revision
Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is preparing for what could turn into a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, and residents of Hyderabad along with citizens across the country may soon be asked to produce key documents to validate their voter registration.
On September 10, the Commission will hold a meeting in Delhi with all the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the states to discuss the matter. The meeting is expected to focus on how such a revision can be carried out smoothly, especially given the challenges faced by voters in producing required documentation.
Why the SIR MattersA Special Intensive Revision is not a new exercise. It is essentially a large-scale clean-up of the voter list, meant to weed out duplicate or erroneous entries and ensure only eligible citizens remain enrolled. Bihar has already undergone such an exercise, and if the Delhi meeting approves, the same process could be extended nationwide—including Hyderabad and districts across Telangana.
The challenge, however, lies in the paperwork. For many Indians, especially those born before the 1990s, proving their date and place of birth through government-issued records is not always straightforward. A large section of the population still lacks birth certificates or passports, which are the most direct proofs of identity. To address this, the ECI has listed 11 acceptable documents that can be submitted.
The 11 Documents That CountVoters will need to present any one of the following to verify their details during the SIR:
- Identity card or Pension Payment Order issued to regular employees or pensioners of the Central or State Government or PSUs.
- Identity card, certificate, or document issued in India by government authorities, banks, post offices, LIC, or PSUs before July 1, 1987.
- Birth certificate issued by a competent authority.
- Passport.
- Matriculation or educational certificate from a recognised board or university.
- Permanent residence certificate issued by state authorities.
- Forest Rights Certificate.
- Caste certificate (OBC/SC/ST) issued by a competent authority.
- National Register of Citizens entry (where applicable).
Importantly, the requirement extends not just to the individual voter but, depending on year of birth, also to their parents’ documents.
Who Needs What?- Born on or after July 1, 1987 and before December 2, 2004: Must produce one document for themselves and one for either father or mother.
- Born after December 2, 2004: Must submit a document for themselves as well as documents for both parents.
- Born before July 1, 1987: A single valid document may be sufficient, but the exact requirement depends on what record is available.
This layered documentation framework stems directly from how the Citizenship Act of 1955 defines who qualifies as an Indian citizen by birth.
The Citizenship AngleThe court reiterated that only the Citizenship Act is the controlling law.
Under this Act:
- Those born in India between January 26, 1950 and June 30, 1987 are Indian citizens by birth.
- Those born between July 1, 1987 and December 1, 2004 must prove that at least one parent was a citizen at the time of their birth.
- Those born after December 2, 2004 must prove both parents were Indian citizens—or that one parent was a citizen and the other was not an illegal migrant.
This legal context explains why the Election Commission is asking for documents beyond the usual Aadhaar or voter card. The goal is to tie voter eligibility directly to citizenship status as defined in law.
For millions of Indians, particularly those born in the mid to late 20th century, getting hold of a birth certificate is not easy. Many births were never registered, especially in rural areas. Families relied on school certificates or other local documents instead. Recognising this gap, the ECI broadened the list of acceptable records to include older government IDs, caste certificates, and even land allotment papers.
Yet, challenges remain. People who migrated between states, those from marginalised communities, and elderly citizens without preserved documents may find the process intimidating. Activists worry that such documentation requirements, while aiming to protect the integrity of the rolls, could also risk excluding genuine voters.
Constitutional BackingThe Commission is exercising its powers under Article 326 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote to every Indian citizen aged 18 and above, subject to certain disqualifications. It is also drawing authority from Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which empowers it to revise electoral rolls.
What Lies AheadThe September 10 meeting in Delhi will be crucial in deciding how quickly the SIR process is rolled out nationwide. If approved, residents of Hyderabad—as well as citizens across India—should prepare to gather whichever documents they can from the approved list.
For now, the message is clear: the Election Commission wants a cleaner, more legally robust voter list. But for ordinary citizens, especially those without ready paperwork, the exercise could bring both anxiety and urgency.
As one Hyderabad resident remarked, “Voting is my right. I’ve always cast my ballot. But now I’m worried—will I be able to prove it on paper?”
The coming weeks may provide answers, but the nationwide SIR has already sparked conversations about citizenship, identity, and the importance of documents in the world’s largest democracy.