SIR: Call for Digital Enrollment Option
Residents, however, point to practical difficulties in completing the process.
Kakinada: With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process under way, residents have proposed introduction of a fully digital enrollment system and making greater use of booth level officers for data collection in villages.
At present, enrolment is being carried out through both online and manual modes. Under the manual process, BLOs distribute enumeration forms and ask applicants to submit them along with photographs and supporting documents.
Residents, however, point to practical difficulties in completing the process.
Discrepancies arise between names recorded in earlier voter lists, Aadhaar cards and other identity documents, requiring the applicants to furnish additional proof. In many remote villages, the absence of photocopying facilities and photo studios further complicates the process for agricultural labourers, farmers and illiterate residents.
YouTube influencer and psychologist A.P.J. Vinu suggested that BLOs should collect photographs and identity documents digitally through smartphones to reduce paperwork and save time.
He noted that mobile service providers now complete SIM card verification digitally without requiring physical photographs and documents. He proposed that the Election Commission could adopt a similar system by authorising officials to capture photographs and obtain identity proofs electronically during enrolment.
Former Kakinada municipal corporation councillor and Poura Sankshema Sangham convener Dusarlapudi Ramana Raju called on officials to address public concerns regarding the SIR process through awareness programmes at village and ward secretariats.
He said voter list purification was traditionally carried out through special revision exercises and that linking Aadhaar details could strengthen the process. However, he cautioned, “If the revision exercise is not conducted thoroughly, there is a risk of genuine voters being excluded from the rolls.”
Ramana Raju said voter list revision should focus on identifying bogus, duplicate and non-resident entries rather than the process being viewed as a test of citizenship. He stressed the need for safeguards to ensure that legitimate voters are not removed during the exercise.