Did EC act in panic? Congress slams CEC over enrolment camps for young voters
The Congress has questioned the timing of the Election Commission's decision to organise special enrolment camps for young voters, alleging that the move came after a controversy over changes to the voter registration process.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the Election Commission's decision as a "panicked" response and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of creating hurdles for young and first-time voters through changes linked to Form 6.
In a post on X, Ramesh said the Election Commission had directed officials late on Friday to organise special enrolment camps for young voters and give them "extensive promotion" through social media.
"But even before that, the CEC himself had made it nearly impossible for young voters to get their names added to the voter list," Ramesh alleged.
Congress questions Form 6 requirement
At the centre of the Congress' criticism is an additional declaration that applicants seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls have been required to provide in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Ramesh alleged that a new mandatory section was added to the online Form 6 process, asking applicants whether their parents or grandparents had been included in the previous SIR.
According to the Congress leader, the requirement created an additional hurdle for first-time voters, particularly young people applying to register for the first time.
Ramesh claimed the online form was altered in early July 2026 without an official notification. He also argued that the Election Commission does not have the authority to amend Form 6, saying that such powers rest with the central government under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
He further alleged that the change was made without an amendment to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, which govern the form.
The Congress leader described the move as an "illegal and unauthorised" change and alleged that it was made at the direction of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
EC says Form 6 itself was not amended
The Election Commission has maintained that Form 6 itself has not been amended.
A poll panel functionary said the additional declaration was introduced through instructions. However, applicants filling Form 6 online cannot proceed further until they complete the declaration.
The clarification comes amid the wider row over the documentation required from new voters seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls during the SIR exercise.
According to Election Commission officials, 2.37 crore electors aged between 18 and 28 have been added since the SIR exercise was rolled out in Bihar last June.
Congress seeks action against CEC
Ramesh also claimed that the two election commissioners had called for the withdrawal of the additional requirement so that young and first-time voters could register without facing difficulties.
Against this backdrop, the Congress questioned the need for special enrolment camps and the timing of the Election Commission's decision to promote them.
Ramesh accused the CEC of violating constitutional practices as well as laws governing the electoral registration process. He called on the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and hold Kumar accountable.
The Congress leader also reiterated the party's demand for Kumar's resignation, referring to Rahul Gandhi's earlier suggestion that the CEC should step down.
"Kumar still has the chance to rectify his mistake by resigning and turning approver," Ramesh said, adding that young voters would welcome such a move.
The Election Commission's position that Form 6 itself was not amended, and the Congress' allegations over the additional declaration, remain at the heart of the dispute over the registration process for new voters.
With agency inputs