Received an SIR Notice in Bhatkal? Here Are the Key Things Voters Need to Know
Voters have seven days to appear for the hearing, while officials have outlined documents and forms required during the electoral roll revision.
Bhatkal: The Election Commission has begun issuing notices to voters in Bhatkal as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka. Citizens who receive a notice are required to appear for a hearing within seven days of receiving it. The hearing process will continue until October 22.
Bhattkal Muslim Youth Federation General Secretary and social worker Mubashir Hallare has issued important guidelines for residents who receive SIR notices.
According to Mubashir, notices are mainly being issued to two categories of voters. The first includes people whose documents contain discrepancies, such as differences in their name or age. Notices may also be issued where the age gap between siblings is less than nine months or where there is an insufficient age difference between parents, grandparents and maternal grandparents.
The second category consists of voters marked as having No Mapping. This applies to individuals whose names, or the names of their parents or grandparents, are not found in the 2002 electoral roll.
Mubashir explained that voters should carefully check the 12 specific documents listed on the form or on the back of the notice. These include documents such as birth certificates, passports, caste certificates and income certificates.
For those who do not have the required documents, Mubashir said people who have been residing or studying in Karnataka for the past 10 years may apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to meet the relevant requirement.
He also highlighted an important opportunity for citizens who have turned 18 but whose names are missing from the draft electoral roll. Such individuals can submit Form 6 before September 23 to apply for inclusion in the voter list.
Voters who need corrections to their name, address or date of birth can submit Form 8 for the necessary changes.
For assistance or further information, residents can approach the joint help centre operated by Majlis e Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal and Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation on Bundar Road.
NRI and Gulf Residents
Addressing concerns among Non Resident Indians and people living in Gulf countries or other states, Mubashir said there is currently no clear directive from the Election Commission or the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka granting them an exemption from appearing in person.
Therefore, individuals who have received notices are currently expected to attend the hearing themselves.
However, Majlis Islah wa Tanzeem, Kundigars Sangha and other community and social organisations have submitted a memorandum to senior officials seeking permission for relatives of NRIs to appear on their behalf, similar to arrangements reportedly followed in states such as Telangana and Kerala.
The organisations are hopeful that the Election Commission will consider the request and issue a favourable decision soon.