It’s not just about ticking a box; it’s about tracing lineage to prevent duplication and fraud. While the Election Commission says this reduces paperwork and streamlines inclusion, critics worry it could accidentally exclude marginalized groups. The policy, rolled out first in Bihar, is now enforced nationwide; and you can’t even submit Form 6 online without filling in those parental details. Meanwhile, the EC defends the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as constitutional, transparent, and Supreme Court-backed; even as UN rapporteurs question its fairness. What looks like an administrative tweak may carry deeper consequences for voter access, especially in politically sensitive regions. The real test? Whether this system protects democracy; or quietly reshapes who gets to participate in it.