UP Poll Roll Shocker: 16.18 Lakh Form 6 Applications Filed During SIR Enumeration, CEO Reveals

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa on [date] revealed that 16.18 lakh Form 6 applications—used for new voter registrations—were filed during the enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The announcement comes in response to a report by The Reporters' Collective, which alleged that these applications were added 'mysteriously' and that the identities of applicants were not disclosed, raising transparency concerns.

The SIR process, aimed at cleaning up voter rolls, has been underway in Uttar Pradesh, with the enumeration phase involving house-to-house verification. Form 6 is the standard application for new voters, including first-time electors and those shifting constituencies. The CEO's disclosure of the exact number seeks to address the report's claims, but the lack of applicant details has fueled demands for greater openness. 'The enumeration phase saw 16.18 lakh Form 6 applications,' Rinwa stated, without elaborating on the breakdown or verification status.

The revelation is likely to intensify political debate, with opposition parties potentially questioning the timing and transparency of the SIR. The Election Commission of India has maintained that the process is aimed at ensuring error-free rolls. Moving forward, the CEO's office may face pressure to release further data, while political stakeholders will closely monitor the next phases of the SIR and its impact on the state's electoral landscape.