The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notification refusing to recognise Madhyamik (Class 10, West Bengal Board) admit cards as valid documents for verification under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The move has triggered fresh concerns over voter inconvenience and possible exclusion, particularly in West Bengal where Madhyamik admit cards are commonly preserved as a primary proof of age and identity.
“I directed to refer to your letter No. 002 Home (Elec) dated January 1st, 2026, on the subject cited and to state that the Commission has examined the proposal. In this regard, it is noted that as per the Commission’s instructions issued vide letter dated 27.01.2026 for the conduct of SIR in West Bengal, the Madhyamik (Class X) Admit Card is not listed admissible document for verification purposes. In view of the above, the Commission is of the opinion that the proposal to accept the Madhyamik (Class X) Admit Card document cannot be acceded to,” the Chief Electoral Officer said in the notification.
Admit cards issued by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education are widely used by voters—especially the elderly, rural residents, and economically marginal sections—who may no longer possess school leaving certificates, birth certificates, or passports. With the rejection of Madhyamik admit cards, many voters appearing for SIR hearings may now be forced to procure alternative documents at short notice, increasing the risk of names being flagged, put on hold, or excluded from the final electoral roll.
Mandatory Documents for SIR Verification
As per the ECI’s current framework, voters flagged during SIR are required to produce one or more officially accepted documents to establish identity, age, and eligibility.
These include government-issued identity or pension cards, birth certificates, passports, matriculation or recognised educational certificates (excluding admit cards), permanent residence certificates, caste certificates, forest rights certificates, NRC extracts (where applicable), family registers maintained by local authorities, and government-issued land or house allotment documents. Aadhaar has been permitted as an additional identity document, though not as standalone proof of citizenship.
The exclusion of admit cards—despite their issuance by a recognised education board—has narrowed the documentary options available to voters who relied on them as proof of date of birth.
Changes Since First SIR Draft Rollout
Since the publication of the first draft SIR list, the Election Commission has made multiple changes to its documentation and verification framework. Initially, the process was perceived as more accommodative, with broader acceptance of educational records and legacy voter data. Over time, the ECI has tightened scrutiny by narrowing the range of acceptable educational documents, introducing stricter checks on parental linkage and age consistency, and flagging “logical discrepancies” even in long-standing voter records. The commission has also increased reliance on app-generated notices and mandatory hearings, limiting the scope for on-the-spot clarification.
These evolving requirements have resulted in a growing number of hearing notices being issued across the state, affecting not just ordinary voters but also government employees and Booth Level Officers themselves.
With hearings underway and the final electoral roll yet to be published, the rejection of Madhyamik admit cards has added to voter anxiety, raising questions about consistency in rules, administrative preparedness, and the broader impact of SIR on electoral inclusion.
