New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has made it compulsory for new voters seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls to submit their parents' Special Intensive Revision (SIR) details along with Form 6, according to EC officials.

Officials clarified that the requirement is not limited to existing voters undergoing the SIR process, but also applies to first-time applicants.

The declaration, introduced during the Bihar SIR exercise launched in June last year, must be completed before applicants can proceed with online voter registration.

The EC said the declaration has been added through administrative instructions, and Form 6 itself has not been amended.

Officials maintained that the measure helps map electors more accurately while reducing the number of supporting documents new applicants need to submit.

Meanwhile, the poll panel has also defended the ongoing SIR exercise, rejecting concerns raised by UN Special Rapporteurs over transparency.

The EC said the revision is aimed at ensuring that only eligible Indian citizens remain on electoral rolls by removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent and foreign voters.

Responding to allegations of targeted deletion of minority voters, including in West Bengal's Nandigram, the Commission said adequate opportunities were provided to challenge exclusions and denied any bias in the exercise.