Delhi SIR exercise notices have reached some of India’s best known public figures. The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s office published the list late on Friday, September 18. It includes External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Election Commissioner SS Sandhu, former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and Comptroller and Auditor General K Sanjay Murthy.
Over 31.6 lakh voters have been served notices. That is nearly three weeks after the draft roll came out on August 31. The Delhi CEO’s office says a notice does not mean deletion, Hindustan Times reported.
Who has been flagged in the Delhi SIR exercise?
A review of the list by Hindustan Times found these names below. To be noted, a notice is a data check. It is not an allegation.
- LK Advani, his daughter Pratibha and daughter in law Geetika: no mapping
- S Jaishankar and his wife Kyoko Somekawa Jaishankar, voters at the Sunehri Bagh polling station: no mapping
- Kailash Gahlot, BJP MLA and former Delhi minister, his wife Moushumi Mishra and elder daughter Jahnavi Gahlot: no mapping
- K Sanjay Murthy, CAG, voter at the New Moti Bagh polling station: parent name mismatch
- SS Sandhu and his son Damanbir Singh Sandhu: self name mismatch
- Manish Sisodia, former deputy chief minister: notice issued, reason not specified in the list
- Late economist Bibek Debroy: unmapped with the previous roll
What does no mapping mean in the Delhi SIR exercise?
No mapping applies to electors whose names could not be linked with the roll from the previous revision. It is the biggest single reason for notices. It accounts for 42% of them. The list also cites name mismatches with the previous roll. Another reason is age gaps with parents or children that are too big or too small.
Why did the late Bibek Debroy get a notice?
Debroy died nearly two years ago. His name was found unmapped with the previous roll.
A senior official of the New Delhi Assembly constituency explained this to Hindustan Times. The official was not named in the report. As per Election Commission instructions, such flagged names had to be included in the draft roll. That way, documents could be collected during the claims and objections process. The booth level officer had already reported his death, the official said. His name could not be deleted under the instructions. It will be left out of the final list.
What did the Delhi CEO say about deletions?
The Delhi CEO’s office issued a clarification on Sunday, September 20. It said the notices are system generated. They are meant to help voters correct their data in ECINET.
The statement added, “No name can be deleted without giving an opportunity of being heard.” A proper speaking and appealable order is also required. A poll official, who asked not to be named, said booth level officials would help prominent electors. They will also collect their documents.
What does the data show about the Delhi SIR exercise notices?
The list uploaded by the Delhi CEO reveals several trends. For example, the gap between constituencies is wide. Some areas have nearly twice the share of flagged voters as others.
| Finding | Detail |
| Notices for no mapping | 42% |
| Notices with no reason listed | 59,791 |
| Notices with multiple reasons | About 4% |
| Average age of person served | 40 years |
| Oldest person served | 125 years |
| Share of draft roll flagged, by constituency | 22.7% in Matia Mahal to 44.2% in Badarpur |
What happens next in the Delhi SIR exercise?
Flagged voters must submit documents to the electoral officials. Officials say no one can be removed without a hearing. Earlier reports put the claims period at August 31 to September 30. They also said the final roll is scheduled for November 4. Confirm these dates with the Delhi CEO before you publish.
The list came days after notices went to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and four family members on September 19. The Electoral Registration Officer for New Delhi said their forms were incomplete.