Panaji, January 8, 2026 – In a startling development that has raised eyebrows in political circles, Congress Lok Sabha MP from South Goa, Capt. Viriato Fernandes, has claimed he received a notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI) requiring him to submit identity documents to retain his name on the electoral rolls. The incident, which Fernandes attributes to the ECI's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, has amplified opposition fears of widespread voter disenfranchisement.
Fernandes, a retired Indian Navy officer and Kargil War veteran who has represented South Goa since 2024, shared the notice on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday evening. "Received notice from ECI to appear with documents for proving my identity in order to retain my name in electoral roll," he posted, attaching images of the official communication. He emphasized that this demand comes shortly after the rigorous scrutiny all candidates, including himself, underwent during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The MP, who turned 18 and cast his first vote in 1989 following the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's landmark decision to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, recounted his long history of civic participation. "Travelled to Goa multiple times from far off places of military posting during my 26 years of service in Indian Navy just to cast my vote, be it Lok Sabha, Assembly, Panchayat or Zilla," Fernandes wrote, underscoring his commitment to democracy.
Fernandes expressed profound concern over the implications for ordinary citizens, stating, "If a Member of Parliament can be subjected to this scrutiny, wonder the state of a common man, confirming concerns raised by Opposition parties and NGOs/citizens about SIR being carried out by ECI to delete names of legitimate voters and prevent from participating in the democratic process of voting." He suggested the process might disproportionately target long-time residents like Goans, while sparing "floating populations" with voter cards obtained through other means, as echoed in social media reactions to his post.
The ECI's SIR, launched in select states including Goa to update and purify electoral rolls ahead of future polls, involves house-to-house verification and requires voters to submit forms with supporting documents. Notices are issued automatically for "unmapped" entries—those lacking key details such as assembly constituency number, part number, and serial number from the previous revision. In Fernandes' case, the Goa Chief Electoral Office (CEO) clarified that his enumeration form fell into this category, triggering a standard hearing notice, with the matter now under inquiry. Efforts to obtain further comment from state ECI officials were unsuccessful.
This episode arrives amid broader criticism of the SIR from opposition parties and civil society groups, who argue it could inadvertently or deliberately remove genuine voters, particularly from marginalized communities, echoing similar controversies in other states. The Congress has demanded greater transparency in the revision process to safeguard democratic rights.
As Fernandes prepares to comply with the notice—expected to occur soon at a local electoral office—the incident serves as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over electoral integrity in India. Political observers in Goa say it could galvanize local discourse on voter rights, especially with assembly elections on the horizon.
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