Navdeep Suri, a retired Indian Foreign Services officer and former ambassador to three countries, encountered difficulties in establishing his citizenship during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Punjab. This is one of the 16 states where the voter roll revision process is underway.
Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri has expressed concerns about the verification process during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which is being carried out in 16 states including Punjab. In a social media post, he shared his experience with the process, stating that he was required to submit his voter ID and Aadhaar card to a booth level officer who assured him everything was in order. However, Suri later received a notice stating that some of his details did not match the electoral rolls from 2003, which are being used for verification during the exercise. He mentioned that he was asked to provide additional documentation to prove his Indian citizenship, specifically his passport as he was not in India in 2003. Suri served as India’s high commissioner to Australia and ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. He questioned the potential impact of such challenges on common citizens, stating that if he, with his extensive diplomatic background, faced difficulties, it could be detrimental for ordinary citizens.
The first phase of the SIR exercise was conducted in Bihar in 2025, followed by a second phase covering 12 states and Union Territories towards the end of 2025 and early 2026. Since it began, concerns have been raised that the revision could potentially eliminate genuine voters from the rolls and influence electoral outcomes.
In May, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the revision, but said that the exercise does not mean that the Election Commission can decide on whether the person is an Indian citizen.
Source:
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