The deadline to submit the enumeration form is December 4 — now less than ten days away. The Special and Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll is currently underway at full pace, leaving many citizens anxious about how to complete the form, what documents to arrange, and what procedures to follow. However, there are certain categories of individuals for whom the absence of a submitted enumeration form will not pose a problem. Their names will be automatically included in the draft voter list, even without filing the form. Who are these individuals, and what do the Election Commission’s guidelines specify about them?
According to the Election Commission, only around two lakh individuals in the state have yet to receive their enumeration forms. Excluding this pending group, approximately 99.74 percent of the state’s population has already been covered. The Commission released this update on Saturday night.
Commission officials reported that, as of Saturday evening, enumeration forms had been distributed to 7.64 crore people across the state. Given that the total number of voters stands at 7.66 crore, the number of forms still to be distributed is relatively small. Of the forms submitted so far, 41.2 percent have already been digitised, amounting to approximately 3.15 crore forms.
Following the completion of the process in Bihar, the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in 12 states and Union Territories. The Commission has allotted one month for the distribution and submission of enumeration forms, beginning on November 4 and concluding on December 4. The exercise is now in its third week, with limited time remaining. The draft electoral roll is scheduled for publication on December 9.
Who will be considered as voters if their name is not on the SIR list?
Under the Election Commission’s guidelines, such individuals are classified as “marked voters” or “marked electors.” These are voters whose names are already recorded in the electoral roll and are distinctly flagged within the electoral database. This category includes the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of all states, senior political leaders, and ministers. In addition to public representatives, members of the judiciary, holders of designated official positions, and eminent figures from the fields of art, culture, cinema, journalism, sports, and public service are also listed as marked electors.
Their names are automatically incorporated into the draft voter list, and they are not required to submit a separate enumeration form. However, if any discrepancies or issues arise regarding their details, they may be asked to provide supporting documents.
What will happen if you can’t submit SIR form now?
If a citizen is unable to submit their filled enumeration forms by the stipulated date fixed by the Election Commission in Bengal as a part of the ongoing SIR process then they will be offered a second chance following the publication of the draft list on December 9. However, such voters have to fill-up Form 6, which is also meant for new application. The Form 6 has to be attached with Annexure IV, including their EPIC numbers and details of the immediate relative’s name enlisted in the 2002 voter’s list. The list can be submitted online along with the list of documents deemed necessary by the election commission of India.
It is necessary to understand that such voters who are unable to submit their enumeration forms by the deadline will have to appear in hearing before the Election Returning Officers (ERO) for their names to be enlisted in the final electoral list to be published on February 7.
