Hyderabad, 9 July
Can Women Wear Hijab in SIR Photos? Hyderabad District Election Officer Clarifies
Yes, Muslim women can wear a hijab or headscarf while submitting their photograph for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana. Hyderabad District Election Officer RV Karnan has clarified that photographs with or without a hijab are acceptable, provided the applicant’s face is clearly visible. There is no official instruction stating that ears must be visible, despite some field-level officials reportedly giving conflicting information. -Hyderabad District Election Officer Clarifies
The clarification comes after confusion among voters, especially Muslim women, over the photo requirements for the SIR process being carried out across Telangana and particularly in Hyderabad.
Several applicants had questioned whether wearing a hijab would lead to the rejection of their application or whether they were required to uncover their ears while taking the passport-size photograph. The uncertainty increased as different field officers reportedly provided different responses.
According to a report published by The Hindu, Hyderabad District Election Officer RV Karnan clarified that both photographs—with or without a hijab—are valid as long as the face is clearly visible for identification purposes.
Can Women Wear Hijab in SIR Photos? Hyderabad District Election Officer Clarifies
This clarification is expected to provide relief to many Muslim women participating in the voter verification process.
However, despite the official clarification, reports indicate that there is still inconsistency at the field level. Some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other election officials have reportedly advised applicants that their ears should be visible in the photograph. Others, however, have stated that they have not received any official instructions requiring ears to be visible.
The differing responses have created confusion among voters visiting enrolment centres or interacting with field officials during the revision exercise. Can Women Wear Hijab in SIR Photos? Hyderabad District Election Officer Clarifies.
The Special Intensive Revision is an important exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update and verify electoral rolls. During this process, eligible voters may be required to submit photographs and supporting documents to confirm or update their details in the voter list.
Can Women Wear Hijab in SIR Photos?
For passport-style photographs used in official identification, the primary requirement is generally that the applicant’s full face is visible and identifiable. The Hyderabad District Election Officer’s clarification reinforces that a hijab or headscarf does not violate this requirement, provided it does not cover facial features.
Applicants should ensure that the photograph is clear, recent, and of good quality. The face should not be obscured by shadows, sunglasses, masks, or any object that prevents proper identification. Wearing a hijab is permitted as long as it does not cover the face.
The clarification is particularly significant for Muslim women who were concerned that their religious attire could become an obstacle in completing the SIR process. By confirming that hijab is allowed, the district administration has addressed one of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the ongoing revision exercise.
At the same time, voters are encouraged to follow any other standard photograph specifications issued by election authorities, including using a clear, front-facing image with adequate lighting. Can Women Wear Hijab in SIR Photos? Hyderabad District Election Officer Clarifies.
If applicants receive contradictory instructions from field officials regarding hijab or visibility of the ears, they may seek clarification from their local election office or refer to the guidance issued by the District Election Officer.
With the official clarification now available, eligible voters can confidently submit their SIR photographs while ensuring that their face remains clearly visible for identification.