Amid row, EC restores regular Form 6 process outside states undergoing SIR

The Election Commission has restored the regular online process for Form 6 in states where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is not underway, removing an additional declaration that applicants had been required to complete during the revision exercise.

Form 6 is normally used by people seeking fresh registration as voters. During SIR, however, it was also used by people seeking to have their names included again after deletion during the enumeration stage, reported The Hindu.

Two Election Commissioners disagreed

An additional declaration required applicants to establish whether they or their parents had been listed in electoral rolls from the previous SIR.

The declaration had also been incorporated into the online Form 6, making it impossible for applicants to submit the form without completing it.

Also Read: ECI’s internal dissent: What does the law say, and what happens next? | Capital Beat

The issue had reportedly been raised by Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu in separate communications in May and August 2026.

Form 6 is prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Changes to the form require an amendment to the Rules by the Union government through the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Declaration restricted to ongoing SIR

In a September 26 statement, the Election Commission said the additional declaration would apply only while SIR was being conducted.

The report further stated that by September 29, the online Form 6 had been changed, with fields seeking parents' and grandparents' details removed. The declaration was placed separately for applicants in states where SIR remains underway.

Election Commission officials reportedly said the declaration was introduced alongside Form 6 and Form 8 after the full Commission approved it when SIR began in Bihar. They maintained that Form 6 itself had not been changed.

Online submission issue triggers objections

According to reports, the online submission problem arose after the IT department altered the system to avoid requiring applicants to e-sign both Form 6 and the separate declaration. As a result, completing the declaration became necessary before submission.

Also Read: SIR explained: From voter deletions to Form 6, what has changed?

The Indian Express had earlier reported that the online Form 6 contained the additional declaration, while the downloadable version on the Election Commission website did not.

The declaration asked applicants whether they or their parents or grandparents had appeared in the electoral roll from the previous SIR and sought booth and serial-number details where applicable.

EC officials cite legal basis

The two Election Commissioners had objected to the addition, according to The Indian Express. The report said the concern arose because the prescribed form had not itself been amended.

Also Read: SC agrees to hear next week plea against EC decisions

Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, amendments to voter enrolment, deletion and correction forms can be made only by the Central government.

Election Commission officials also said the Supreme Court had upheld the Commission's authority to add the declaration on May 27, 2026.