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

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

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

There are 5.5 lakh Keralites who face this issue, IUML State secretary Mohammed Shah said at the meeting convened by Mr. Kelkar on Saturday. “No action has been taken so far. We had also given this complaint in writing. The minutes of six previous meetings will show that I have raised this issue here,” Mr. Shah said.

MP’s complaint

IUML MP in the Rajya Sabha Haris Beeran too had raised this matter in a written complaint to the CEO. Mr. Beeran wanted the EC to include a ‘Born Outside India’ option added to the State selection list.

According to Mr. Shah, there are 20 lakh potential overseas electors from the State, but only 70,000 have applied so far. Mr. Shah said that if the EC does not resolve the issues related to the overseas electors, political parties would be forced to tackle it politically.

Mr. Kelkar told the meeting that the matter related to the ‘Place of Birth’ had been taken up with the EC, and indications are that it will be addressed soon.