SIR Rejected List: Election Commission Issues Strict Guidelines on Voter ID Cancellation and SIR List Verification

SIR Rejected List: With the final publication of the voter list approaching, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is rigorously verifying the SIR (Suo-moto Inclusion/Deletion) list. During this scrutiny, thousands of names are reportedly being rejected or marked for deletion. Why is this happening? The Commission has made it clear that failure to adhere to specific guidelines or provide valid documentation from the list of 11 prescribed documents will lead to the cancellation of voter registration.

For those who have applied recently or whose names are currently under verification, this update is critical. The Commission has identified approximately 16 specific “Common Observations” or scenarios where even minor errors can lead to the rejection of an application.

Strict Rules Regarding Documentation

The lack of proper documentation is the primary hurdle in including or correcting names in the voter list. The Commission has explicitly stated that submitting only an Aadhaar card is insufficient.

• Aadhaar Only Rejection: Many citizens assume that an Aadhaar card is an all-purpose document. However, according to ECI rules, submitting only an Aadhaar card without any other listed supporting document will result in the rejection of the application. Even combining Aadhaar with SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) data or Family Register details is not accepted.
• PAN and Ration Cards: Documents like PAN cards or Ration cards are often submitted by applicants, but these are not on the Commission’s list of valid proof for this purpose. Consequently, applications relying solely on these are being rejected.
• Irrelevant Documents: Submissions including land deeds, Panchayat Pradhan certificates, name change affidavits, or certificates from private schools are being treated as invalid and directly rejected.

Births Between 1987 and 2024: The Linkage Issue

The scrutiny is particularly strict for applicants born between July 1, 1987, and January 1, 2024.

• Proof of Relationship (Linkage): If you have submitted your Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, and Admit Card but failed to provide proof of relationship (Linkage) with your parents, your application is at risk.
• Parental Documents: Even if your personal documents are in order, failure to provide your parents’ birth details or valid documents linking you to them will lead to the application being marked as “Doubtful” and subsequently rejected.

Discrepancies with 2002 Legacy Data

The verification process heavily relies on legacy data, specifically the voter lists from 2002. Mismatches here can be fatal for an application.

• Name Mismatch: If an applicant references their parents’ data from 2002, but the spelling of names in the current application differs significantly from the legacy records, the name may be dropped.
• Grandparent Linkage: Applicants linking their profiles to grandparents (instead of parents) using 2002 data must ensure names match perfectly. If there is a mismatch and only an Aadhaar is provided as support, the application is likely to be rejected.

Technical Errors and BLO Mistakes

Sometimes, applications are rejected not due to the voter’s fault but because of technical errors or mistakes by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

• Wrong Uploads: If a category like “Birth Certificate” is selected in the system, but an image of an Aadhaar card is uploaded, this mismatch leads to rejection. Similarly, uploading the wrong page of a document causes issues.
• Signature and Photos: Discrepancies between the signature on the enumerator form and the hearing receipt, or the use of the same photograph for multiple different applicants, are flagged as suspicious or fraudulent, leading to cancellation.

Additionally, due to ongoing court orders, names of individuals holding OBC certificates issued between 2010 and 2024 are currently being rejected or put on hold, pending a final verdict from the Supreme Court. Citizens are advised to verify their status before the final list is published.