Form 6 row: EC allows previously registered voters to reapply; Congress calls clarification ‘word game’

The Election Commission has clarified that voters whose names are missing from the draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can use Form 6 to seek inclusion in the final list, even if they were registered voters earlier. The Congress, however, has criticised the move, calling it a clarification that fails to address the problems with the SIR process.

The issue arose because Form 6 asks applicants to declare whether they are seeking inclusion in the voters' list for the first time. Those who were already registered but found their names missing from the draft rolls feared that submitting the form could amount to a false declaration and invite legal action.

In a letter to state chief electoral officers, the EC clarified that submitting Form 6 in such cases would not, by itself, amount to a false declaration. It said previously enrolled voters could use the form to seek fresh inclusion in the final electoral rolls.

Congress questions EC's clarification

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh called the clarification a "word game", arguing that the form still asks voters whether they are applying for inclusion for the first time.

In a post on X, he said the EC was attempting to defend a flawed process instead of addressing the concerns of voters whose names had been left out.

Ramesh also referred to a letter from the Maharashtra chief electoral officer questioning the use of Form 6 in this manner. He pointed to a case before the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court concerning voters who were absent or had shifted residence.

The Congress said the SIR process first removes names from the draft rolls and then asks affected voters to apply again for inclusion. Ramesh demanded that the exercise be stopped, saying the EC's clarification did not address what his party considers the central problem.