In a major administrative rollback, the Election Commission of India (EC) has removed an additional declaration recently inserted into Form 6 on its official ECINET portal. The sudden removal applies to states where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has concluded.
The poll body had introduced the controversial amendment just four days earlier on September 26. However, the move sparked intense internal dissent, as two Election Commissioners formally objected to the alteration and labeled it procedurally illegal, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Internal Discord Over Statutory Procedures
Form 6 serves as the primary statutory application for citizens applying to register as new voters. Consequently, any substantive alteration to the form requires strict adherence to statutory law.
The two Election Commissioners objected because the leadership updated the digital form without amending the parent statute. Specifically, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, formally prescribe the exact structure and wording of Form 6.
Furthermore, dissenting members pointed out that administrative orders cannot bypass statutory frameworks without prior consultation across the full commission, as highlighted in earlier records cited by The New Indian Express.
Sudden Rollback on the ECINET Portal
Following mounting public scrutiny and legal questions, election authorities quietly updated the digital application software late Wednesday night.
Technical teams removed the extra verification clauses from the live digital system for concluded states. Therefore, new applicants in those jurisdictions can once again submit standard voter registration requests without providing the extra SIR-specific declarations.
Reporting by Jansatta confirmed that local booth-level officers received updated instructions to accept voter requests under the restored format.
Growing Pressure Ahead of Judicial Scrutiny
The rollback comes at a critical moment for the poll panel. Outside the commission, political parties and civil rights groups have raised serious concerns over recent administrative changes.
Opposition leaders argued that arbitrary declarations create needless hurdles for genuine citizens seeking voter ID cards. In addition, the Supreme Court of India agreed just yesterday to hear a formal writ petition challenging unilateral decision-making and SIR implementation within the commission.
As a result, political analysts view the withdrawal of the Form 6 declaration as an urgent step to defuse escalating legal vulnerabilities before the apex court hears the dispute.
Preserving Transparency in Voter Registration
This quick reversal highlights the critical need for institutional consensus within India’s apex election authority.
Form 6 remains the gateway to democratic participation for millions of first-time voters across the country. Therefore, keeping registration rules uniform, simple, and strictly aligned with constitutional statutes remains essential for voter trust.
Ultimately, the Commission must now decide whether to pursue formal legislative amendments through the Union Ministry of Law or retain the traditional registration format nationwide.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
