Kerala SIR: EC yet to resolve ‘Place of Birth’ issue in Form 6A, allege political parties

Political parties in Kerala on Saturday registered their protests over the Election Commission of India’s (EC) delay in resolving issues related to registration of citizens born abroad under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The issue relates to the mandatory ‘Place of Birth’ field in Form 6A (for overseas voters) which is limited to Indian States. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has consistently raised this issue at weekly political party meetings held by Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Kelkar, pointing out that this configuration makes it impossible for Indian citizens born abroad to complete the application properly.

IUML State Secretary Mohammed Shah said at a meeting held by Mr. Kelkar on Saturday that 5.5 lakh Keralites are facing this problem. Mr. Shah said, “No action has been taken so far. We have also conveyed this complaint in writing. The minutes of the previous six meetings will show that I have raised this issue here.”

Member of Parliament complaint

Haris Beeran, IUML MP in Rajya Sabha, had also raised this issue in a written complaint to the CEO. Mr. Beeran wanted the EC to add ‘Born Outside India’ option in the State election list.

According to Mr. Shah, there are 20 lakh potential overseas voters from the state, but only 70,000 have applied so far. Mr. Shah said if the EC fails to resolve issues with voters abroad, political parties will have to resolve the issue politically.

Mr. Kelkar said that the issue regarding ‘Place of Birth’ was discussed before the EC in the meeting and there were signs that this issue would be taken up soon.