Feminist organisations demand reforms in third phase of SIR

The All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA-NAPM), a pan-India network of feminist organisations and individuals, has submitted an urgent appeal to the Election Commission of India demanding immediate electoral reforms to prevent large-scale disenfranchisement of women and transgender persons during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The alliance claimed that data from the first two SIR phases across 13 States and Union Territories showed an 8.9% drop in voters, with women, transgender individuals, and marginalised minority communities being deleted at disproportionate rates. The group called for a major “mid-course” correction during the latest phase of the voter list revision process to protect constitutional voting rights.

The key demands include expanding eligibility criteria, shifting away from patriarchal lineage and household proofs to recognise alternative documentation like marriage invitation cards or school certificates, accepting transgender IDs or gazette notifications, establishing self-determination of gender, and create safe linkage methods for those estranged from families.

Increasing duration of exercise

The organisation also demanded an increase in the time period for the completion of the SIR process so vulnerable and rural communities have sufficient time to gather geographically distant documents and eliminate arbitrary logical discrepancy criteria, such as flagging a “name change” or labelling mothers with less than a 15-year age gap with their child as “suspect”.

The alliance suggested creating a format to readmit unjustly deleted voters without forcing them to fill Form 6, and provide an appeal window of at least one year.

The third phase of the SIR is being conducted in 16 States and three Union Territories. Over 3.94 lakh booth-level officers (BLOs) will go house to-house to 36.73 crore electors assisted by 3.42 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties in this phase.