Got an SIR Notice? Build Your Document Pack Before the Hearing

Quick take: An SIR notice means the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) needs to examine your case because your current electoral-roll entry could not be linked to the relevant previous intensive revision, or there is a discrepancy in that linkage. The ECI's 2026 SIR directions specifically provide for notices to such electors after publication of the draft roll.

If you receive one, don't panic — but don't ignore it either.

Read the notice carefully, prepare the documents relevant to the issue mentioned, and keep your acknowledgement / submission record.

First: read the notice like a checklist

Before collecting a mountain of paperwork, identify:

  • Your EPIC number
  • Name of the elector
  • ERO / AERO office
  • Reason mentioned in the notice
  • Documents requested
  • Hearing date, if specified
  • Venue
  • Online submission instructions, if provided
  • Contact number / officer details
  • Last date for submitting documents or responding

Take a photograph or scan of the complete notice.

Keep the original.

The notice is more important than a WhatsApp explanation of what “SIR notice” supposedly means.

Why did you receive the notice?

The ECI's May 2026 SIR directions say that after draft publication, the ERO is to issue notices to people:

  • who could not be linked with the electoral roll of the relevant last intensive revision; or
  • where there is a discrepancy in the linkage.

That means:

A notice is not the same thing as a final deletion order.

It is a signal that your case requires further examination under the SIR process.

What should you carry?

There is no universal document bundle that every elector must submit.

Your state/UT's SIR instructions and, most importantly, your notice determine what is relevant.

Depending on the issue, your document set may include records such as:

  • birth certificate;
  • school or educational records;
  • existing electoral-roll records;
  • government-issued identity documents;
  • residence-related documents;
  • family / relative electoral-roll records where relevant;
  • other documents specifically included in the applicable ECI/state SIR instructions.

Do not submit documents simply because somebody on WhatsApp says “these are the SIR documents.”

Check the official list applicable to your state and case.

The ECI's SIR framework itself provides for self-attested documents and acknowledgement when documents are submitted during the prescribed process.

Aadhaar: carry it, but understand what it proves

This is the part families most often misunderstand.

The ECI specifically directed that Aadhaar be accepted as an additional SIR document and used as proof of identity — not as proof of citizenship.

So don't build your entire case around:

“I have Aadhaar, therefore everything is proved.”

Aadhaar can establish identity, but your notice may require other evidence relevant to the particular issue being examined.

Practical rule:

Aadhaar + the documents relevant to your notice

is a safer preparation strategy than Aadhaar alone.

If the issue concerns age or date of birth

Take the strongest document you have that actually establishes the relevant fact.

Depending on the applicable rules and your circumstances, that may include:

  • birth certificate;
  • school record / certificate;
  • other officially recognised age or date-of-birth record.

Don't rely on a document merely because it contains your photograph.

Identity and date of birth are different questions.

If the issue concerns residence

Prepare the residence document(s) relevant to your case and the applicable state instructions.

Examples may include government records or other officially recognised address evidence.

If you have recently moved, keep the old and current address trail where relevant.

And don't manufacture a “permanent address” story simply to make the paperwork look cleaner.

Tell the ERO the actual circumstances.

If your family was already present in an earlier electoral roll

This can be important where the SIR exercise is based on linking present electors with the relevant previous intensive revision.

The ECI's current SIR instructions specifically allow an elector to link themselves with their own or a relative's entry in the relevant last intensive-revision electoral roll.

So search the applicable old roll if your state provides the facility.

The ECI's SIR search service currently provides a facility to search the last SIR electoral roll using details such as state, district, Assembly Constituency, polling station/part and elector information.

Save the search result.

If you find your parent or another relevant relative in the old roll, save the page/PDF details and take a print where possible.

Build a simple family evidence folder

For every person who receives a notice, create one folder:

01 — SIR Notice

02 — EPIC / current roll details

03 — Aadhaar / identity

04 — Birth / age documents

05 — Residence documents

06 — Old electoral-roll evidence

07 — Relative linkage evidence

08 — Submission acknowledgement

Put the hearing date on the front.

This sounds boring.

Boring paperwork is exactly what you want when an electoral-roll file is being examined.

Should you submit originals?

Don't casually hand over your only original document.

Carry originals where the notice or officer requires them for verification, but keep photocopies/scans for your own records.

If submitting physical copies, keep:

  • a copy of everything submitted;
  • date of submission;
  • receiving acknowledgement;
  • name/designation of the receiving officer, where available.

The ECI's SIR guidelines provide for acknowledgement when the prescribed documents are received during the relevant submission process.

Online upload? Do it carefully

If your state/notice provides an online document-submission facility:

  1. Scan the document.
  2. Make sure all four corners are visible.
  3. Check that names and dates can be read.
  4. Upload the correct document against the correct field.
  5. Save the submission confirmation.
  6. Screenshot the final status.

Don't upload:

  • blurry photographs;
  • cropped certificates;
  • unrelated documents;
  • screenshots of WhatsApp forwards;
  • documents belonging to another family member unless the procedure specifically asks for them.
What if a family member cannot attend?

Don't assume that a son, daughter, spouse or neighbour can automatically attend in place of the elector.

Family-submission rules can differ by state and by the particular SIR procedure.

If the elector is elderly, sick, disabled, away for work or otherwise unable to attend, check:

  • the notice;
  • the state CEO instructions;
  • the ERO/AERO;
  • or 1950.

Ask the specific question:

“Can a family member submit these documents on behalf of EPIC XXXXX, and is personal appearance required?”

Get the answer before the hearing date.

Hearing day: keep it simple

Carry:

☐ Original notice

☐ EPIC / voter details

☐ Aadhaar

☐ Relevant age/DOB proof

☐ Relevant residence proof

☐ Old-roll / family linkage evidence

☐ Photocopies

☐ Submission screenshots

☐ Pen + small notebook

Arrive early.

Answer only what is asked.

If an officer asks for an additional document, write down exactly what was requested.

Don't argue from WhatsApp

You may hear:

“Aadhaar is enough.”

Or:

“Everyone has to bring a birth certificate.”

Or:

“Your name is already in the draft, so the notice doesn't matter.”

None of those statements should replace your actual notice and applicable ECI/state instructions.

The ECI's SIR framework itself distinguishes between the enumeration stage and the later notice process. During the enumeration phase, the May 2026 directions said no documents were to be collected from electors; after draft publication, notices were to be issued in cases involving unsuccessful linkage or discrepancies.

If you think the notice is wrong

Don't simply refuse to respond.

Prepare the evidence that demonstrates why the entry should remain.

If an ERO ultimately takes a decision that adversely affects you, the applicable electoral-roll framework provides avenues for appeal. The precise route and deadlines should be checked against the order/notice and the applicable state SIR schedule.

If you miss the hearing

Don't assume the file will automatically remain open.

Contact the ERO/AERO immediately, explain the reason, and ask what procedure is available for submitting documents or requesting another opportunity.

Keep proof of every communication.

A screenshot of:

date + time + application/reference number + response

is much more useful than:

“I spoke to somebody at the office.”
A 30-minute family SIR exercise

Tonight, sit together and check every adult:

1. Name on current electoral roll

2. EPIC number

3. Old-roll entry, if relevant

4. Parent/spouse/relative linkage

5. Date-of-birth document

6. Residence document

7. Aadhaar identity

8. Notice status

9. Hearing date

10. Submission acknowledgement

Do this before the queue starts.

One important distinction

An SIR notice is not the same thing as:

  • Form 6 for a new voter;
  • Form 8 for correcting an existing entry;
  • Form 7 objection/deletion application;
  • a general Aadhaar update;
  • an RTI application.

Don't submit random forms because someone told you to “do something on the voter portal.”

First identify what the notice is asking you to establish.

Your SIR document rule

Don't carry the biggest file. Carry the most relevant evidence.

If the issue is identity, establish identity.

If the issue is linkage, establish the linkage.

If the issue is age, carry age evidence.

If the issue is residence, carry relevant residence evidence.

And if the notice asks for something specific, follow the notice.

How NetaSampark helps

SIR is administered through the election machinery, but citizens can still need help understanding which local office, ERO/AERO or representative channel is relevant.

Use NetaSampark to find the relevant representatives and civic contacts, while keeping the actual SIR submission and verification on official ECI/state election channels.

Be Informed. Be Heard.

Official sources to re-check before publishing

Editorial note: I would avoid the original line saying that Aadhaar “does not prove age or address” as an absolute SIR rule. The official ECI direction specifically settles the key point that Aadhaar is accepted for identity, not citizenship; the exact evidentiary requirement for age, residence or linkage should be tied to the applicable SIR instructions and the individual notice.