ECI SIR controversy: Why did UP order scrutiny of Form 6, 7 and 8 entered since April 10? What voters should know

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Election Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa has ordered a thorough review of all voter forms 6, 7, and 8 entered by computer assistants since April 10. This action is in response to allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The scrutiny will be conducted across all 403 assembly constituencies. The decision aims to prevent any eligible voters from being excluded from the final electoral roll.

UP CEO Rinwa directed that pending Forms 6, 7, and 8 be reviewed daily by electoral registration officers (EROs) and that any complaints received through various channels be handled promptly. Computer assistants will be barred from entering physical applications and must ensure all forms are digitized through the BLO App.

The CEO emphasized strict accountability for irregularities, with potential legal action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Divisional commissioners will act as roll observers, intensively monitoring the electoral roll-related work in their districts. Officials were reminded not to share ERONET login IDs or passwords and to secure physical applications.

Duplicate voter entries were also targeted, with a directive to remove such entries promptly to avoid repetition in the draft rolls for the upcoming Special Summary Revision (SSR) process.