Valsad Voter List Chaos: 1.50 Lakh Citizens Facing “Agnipariksha” as 2002 Records Haunt Senior Citizens and Divyangs!
The SIR-2026 Crisis: Why Thousands of Valid Election Card Holders are Being Forced into Mamlatdar Offices on Wheelchairs to Save Their Right to Vote
In a massive administrative lapse that has turned into a nightmare for the elderly and physically challenged, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR-2026) in Valsad district has left over 1.50 lakh voters scrambling to prove their existence. Despite possessing decades-old, valid photo identity cards (EPIC), these citizens have been slapped with notices because their names are allegedly missing from the 2002 voter database, which the Election Commission is using as a foundational anchor for this revision. As the deadline of February 2026 approaches, the Mamlatdar offices in Valsad are witnessing heart-wrenching scenes of 80-year-olds and Divyangs waiting in long queues just to rectify a “government data error.”
The 2002 Data Ghost: Why 1.50 Lakh Notices Were Issued
The core of the SIR-2026 controversy lies in the “matching and linking” process. The government’s goal was to clean the electoral roll of duplicates and deceased voters by cross-referencing the current list with the 2002-2004 Intensive Revision records.
- The Mapping Error: If an elector’s name cannot be digitally linked to the 2002 records, they are flagged. In Valsad alone, this has affected approximately 1,50,000 voters.
- Draft Roll Shock: Following the draft publication on December 19, 2025, those not “linked” were issued notices to appear in person with physical proof, regardless of their age or health status.
- Administrative Irony: Many of these citizens have voted in every election since 2002, yet the “system” now demands they produce documents from 24 years ago to stay on the list.
The Human Cost: Wheelchairs, Illness, and “Agnipariksha”
The Mamlatdar offices have become sites of immense suffering for the very people the state should be protecting. The SIR-2026 process has failed to provide a “Green Channel” for vulnerable groups.
The Case of Hasinabibi: Faith vs. Red Tape
Hasinabibi Ishakbhai Sheikh, a disabled widow, had to choose between her prayers and her voting rights. Her son was forced to bring her on a wheelchair to the office because a notice arrived claiming she wasn’t on the 2002 list. Despite having all modern IDs, the fear of losing her “voter status”—and potentially her widow pension linked to it—drove her to endure this physical agony.
The Case of Maltiben: The “Loop of Documents”
Maltiben Desai, a senior citizen struggling with chronic illness, was trapped in a bureaucratic loop. She was asked for her birth certificate, old EPIC card, and even a passport to “verify” her 2002 status. For a woman who can barely walk, being sent back three times for different documents is not just an error; it’s a systemic failure.
Key Deadlines for SIR-2026: Mark Your Calendars
If you have received a notice or find your name missing, these dates are critical for your survival in the electoral roll:
| Milestone | Date | Action Required |
| Claims & Objections Deadline | January 18, 2026 | Last day to submit proofs to the BLO or Mamlatdar. |
| Disposal of Objections | February 10, 2026 | Hearing and final decision by the ERO (Mamlatdar). |
| Final Approval | February 13, 2026 | Verification of “Health Parameters” of the roll. |
| Final Publication | February 17, 2026 | The definitive SIR-2026 Voter List is released. |
Demands for “Doorstep Hearing” (ઘરબેઠા સુનાવણી)
Public anger is boiling over as the 1,300+ Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are primarily stationed at offices rather than visiting the homes of the infirm. The citizens of Valsad are raising three major demands:
- Mobile Verification: BLOs should visit the homes of voters aged 70+ and Divyangs to verify 2002 records.
- Simplified Proofs: If a voter has a valid Aadhaar and a post-2002 EPIC card, the 2002 matching should be waived.
- Dedicated Counters: Immediate setup of separate, shaded, and seated counters at Mamlatdar offices for senior citizens.
A Threat to Democracy?
If these 1.50 lakh voters are unable to navigate this complex paper trail by February 17, 2026, Valsad could see one of the largest mass-deletions of legitimate voters in history. The “Special Intensive Revision” was meant to strengthen democracy, but for the elderly of Valsad, it feels like a battle for their identity.
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