Ex-diplomat raises concerns over SIR in Punjab over 'mismatch' notice

Former diplomat Navdeep Suri expressed concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) procedure for updating electoral rolls in Punjab. In a post on X, Suri questioned the implications for ordinary citizens if the process proved difficult for someone like him. He mentioned receiving a notice from the election commission, requesting documents to prove his citizenship.

Suri noted that he possessed documentation beyond a voter ID and Aadhaar card, but questioned the fairness of the process for the general public. He recounted his interaction with local election officials, who asked him to return with proof of Indian citizenship. Suri claimed he was not present in India in 2003, leading officials to ask for his passport as evidence.

He pointed out that his 2026 documents did not align with his details from 2003, as he was in London at the time, not participating in the SIR. Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer, Anindita Mitra, clarified that Suri's name remained on the draft electoral roll published on August 13. She stated that his voter details were not removed and that he was asked to submit additional documents because his name was not properly mapped during the 2003 SIR.

Mitra confirmed that after submitting the required documents, Suri's name was officially added to the electoral roll.