Mayank Trigun, Senior Correspondent

Lucknow/New DelhiThese days, a special campaign of the Election Commission is going on in 12 states including Uttar Pradesh, whose name is SIR (Special Intensive Revision). As soon as people came to know about it, there was only one discussion from social media to the streets – “Will my name be cut from the voter list?” “Will I lose my citizenship if the form is not filled?” “Will you expel me from the country?” Lots of questions, lots of rumors and lots of tension! But wait…breathe first. We are going to tell you all the truth very clearly.

SIR has nothing to do with citizenship, it is just a campaign to clean the voter list.

The biggest and most important question – If my name is not found in the voter list during SIR, will I no longer be an Indian citizen? no way! The Election Commission has clearly said that SIR has no connection whatsoever with citizenship, NRC, CAA or detention camps. This is just a process of polishing, cleaning the voter list and preventing fraud. The names of the dead people will be removed, the names of the same person at two-three places will be removed, those who have shifted somewhere else forever, their names will be removed from there – that’s all the work. So rest easy, there is no threat to your citizenship!

You can fill SIR form online sitting at home, but there is a condition

Now the question is how to fill the form? At most places, BLOs (Booth Level Officers) are going door-to-door and getting the forms filled. But if BLO has not reached you then there is no need to panic. You can fill it online yourself. How? It’s very easy – just go to voters.eci.gov.in. But remember, the online form will open only if your mobile number is already linked to your Voter ID (EPIC). If the number is not linked then the system will not let you login. In such a situation, you will have to wait for the BLO or go to them and get the form filled offline.

If you want to get a new Voter ID, you must be 18 years old and an Indian citizen. Aadhaar card will be used for identity proof, electricity-water bill, ration card, bank passbook, any valid document will be used for address proof.

10 digit EPIC number now even more powerful

SIR has been made mandatory so that the voter list becomes 100% clean and fake voting is completely stopped. Now a person can become a voter at only one place. What used to happen earlier? People used to have fun by registering their names in two-three cities. Now those days are gone. The 10 digit unique number (EPIC number) in your Voter ID card is not just for voting, it is used as an identity card for many government schemes, bank work, SIM card – everywhere. So keep this number safe.

Finally the most important thing – name will not be cut if your documents are correct

The Election Commission is saying again and again – If all your documents are correct, you really live in the same place and are alive (laughs), then your name will not be deleted at all. The purpose of SIR is only to update the list, not to harass anyone. Therefore, do not pay attention to the rumours, fill the form and rest assured.