Demystifying what needs to be done for SIR
There is a lots of confusion and chaos around what needs to be done for SIR. Documenting a breakdown of what exactly is going on, what you need to do, and why it's turning into headache in the city.
Who Needs to Do This?
Literally every eligible voter. Even if you've been voting in Bangalore for a decade and have a valid Voter ID, you still need to undergo this fresh verification.
What You Need to Fill Out
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are actively going door-to-door to hand out enumeration forms. These forms come partially pre-filled with your current voter data.
Here is what you actually have to do when you get one:
- Verify the basics: Check that your pre-printed name, EPIC number, age, gender, and address are accurate.
- Add contact info: You will need to fill in your mobile number, the place, and date, and then physically sign it or use a thumbprint.
- Family Mapping: The most complicated section requires you to provide the details of the electoral roll where you or an immediate family member (like a parent) appeared during Karnataka's last SIR back in 2002. They use this to establish long-term residency and family linkages.
Note: If you miss the BLO when they visit, they will leave a red sticker on your door and make up to three attempts to reach you. A violet sticker means the form was successfully delivered to the household.
Doing it Online
If you don't want to wait for someone to knock on your door, you can handle the enumeration digitally:
1.Log in to the ECI portal (https://voters.eci.gov.in/)
You will need your registered mobile number and your EPIC (Voter ID) number handy.
2.Select 'Fill Form 8' or 'New Enumeration Form':
Navigate to the enumeration section. Form 8 is typically used if you need to correct any of your existing entries.
3.Authenticate with OTP:
Enter the one-time password sent to your phone to access and verify your pre-filled data.
4.Submit and save:
Check the details, e-sign the form, and make sure to save the reference number so you can track your status later.
What docs are required?
You don't need to hand over papers, but you should keep supporting documents ready if there's a discrepancy in your data or if you are a recent migrant. Accepted proofs include atleast one of the following
- Aadhaar card or Passport
- Birth certificate or educational certificates
- A Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) -- the state government actually just started issuing these specifically to help voters prove their residency during this SIR process.