In the context of Indian elections, SIR stands for Supplementary Incident Report.
It is a formal report prepared by election officials—usually the Presiding Officer, Returning Officer, or Observers—to document any unusual event, violation, or irregularity that occurs during the election process.
Purpose of SIR
The SIR helps the Election Commission of India (ECI) to:
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Record incidents that are not covered in the main election report.
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Ensure transparency and accountability during polling.
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Track law-and-order issues, technical failures, or malpractice.
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Take corrective or legal action if necessary.
Examples of incidents reported in SIR
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Malfunctioning of EVM/VVPAT
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Booth capturing or attempt to influence voters
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Violence near the polling station
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Complaints by polling agents
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MCC (Model Code of Conduct) violations
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Obstruction during polling
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Delay in starting or closing of polling
Why SIR is Important
The Supplementary Incident Report is important because it ensures that every issue during polling is officially recorded, even if small. This helps maintain the fairness, integrity, and transparency of the election process.
