Former diplomat raises concerns over SIR in Punjab over ‘mismatch’ notice

Former diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll underway in Punjab after he was served a notice saying his details do not match.

Mr. Suri, who served as India’s Ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and High Commissioner to Australia, on Sunday (August 23, 2026) took to X to express his anguish.

“Dear @ECISVEEP, sharing my experience with #SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted a Voter Card and Aadhaar Card, and was assured that everything was in order. Got a message today from a volunteer saying some details don’t match with SIR in 2003!” he wrote. He said he spoke with the booth-level officer (BLO), who told him to collect the notice.

“And then come again with unspecified documents that show I am an Indian citizen. Replied that I was not in India in 2003, so they’ve asked for my passport as proof,” he wrote.

“I happen to have documents other than voter ID and Aadhaar card. But I can’t help asking: If I have trouble establishing my citizenship after representing India in three countries, what’s the fate of the common citizen? Ease of Living, I presume!” Mr. Suri wrote.

When contacted, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anindita Mitra said Mr. Suri’s name was never removed from the electoral roll as his name is part of the draft electoral roll published on August 13.

He was simply served notice and asked to submit certain documents, she said.

After getting all the mandatory documents, his name was published as part of the electoral roll, Mitra said, adding, his vote was earlier registered in Amritsar and continues to be registered there.

Mr. Suri has served in diplomatic missions in Cairo, Damascus, Washington, Dar es Salaam and London, and was India’s Consul General in Johannesburg.

In recognition of his service, the president of the UAE conferred on him the Order of Zayed II, the country’s second-highest civilian award.