Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Questions Modified Form 6 as Congress Targets CEC
Form 6 is an application people use to register as new voters.
During a voter-list review, an extra declaration was attached to the online form, leading to a dispute about who approved it.
The Supreme Court said it had not approved a changed Form 6 and wants to see records showing who made the change.
The court has not decided that the change was illegal or that the Chief Election Commissioner acted alone.
It also refused to suspend him before hearing from the people and institutions named in the case.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress accused the CEC of acting improperly, while the Election Commission called the allegations misleading.
Congress announced more protests, and INDIA bloc MPs planned a march; the Aam Aadmi Party said it would not take part in that march.
The Election Commission says its additional declaration applied to the SIR and has been withdrawn where that exercise is complete.
The Supreme Court said it had not approved any modified Form 6 and wants authenticated records showing who authorized the changes.
The court declined to suspend Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar without first hearing the respondents, and issued notices in the case.
Rahul Gandhi accused Kumar of changing Form 6 illegally and unilaterally; the Election Commission called the allegations misleading and said the Bihar SIR order was upheld by the Supreme Court.
Congress announced a nationwide campaign from October 10, while INDIA bloc MPs planned a march to the Election Commission on October 6; the Aam Aadmi Party said it would not join the march.
The petition cites alleged objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over Form 6 and other electoral decisions; the ECI says draft-stage queries are part of normal administration.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Congress and Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and petitioners challenging the Commission's functioning.
- What
- A dispute over an additional SIR-related declaration attached to Form 6 and allegations that Election Commission decisions were made without collective approval.
- When
- The Supreme Court hearing and political reactions took place on Monday, October 5; an INDIA bloc march was planned for October 6, and Congress announced a campaign from October 10.
- Where
- The Supreme Court hearing took place in India; INDIA bloc MPs planned to march from Parliament House in New Delhi to the Election Commission office.
- Why
- Petitioners and opposition leaders allege that Form 6 and other electoral decisions were changed or made without the required approvals; the ECI disputes the allegations.
Congress and petitioners
Election Commission and BJP
Form 6 declaration
Congress and petitioners
Rahul Gandhi and the petitioners allege that the CEC changed Form 6 or added SIR-linked requirements without required approval or amendment to the rules.
Election Commission and BJP
The ECI says Form 6 itself was not amended and describes the declaration as a separate document for the SIR; it called Gandhi's allegations misleading. The BJP said the court had not declared Form 6 illegal.
Commission decision-making
Congress and petitioners
The petition cites alleged objections by Sandhu and Joshi and argues that some decisions were made without the collective process required by law.
Election Commission and BJP
The ECI says operational queries, inputs, and suggestions during drafting are part of normal administrative and decision-making processes, not proof of dissent over final decisions.
Suspending the CEC
Congress and petitioners
A petitioner's lawyer sought immediate suspension of Gyanesh Kumar, arguing that alleged unilateral decisions threatened electoral democracy.
Election Commission and BJP
The Supreme Court declined an ex-parte suspension before hearing the respondents and questioned whether suspending the CEC could stall the poll panel's work.
- Form 6
- The prescribed application for eligible Indian citizens to be included in the electoral roll as new voters.
- Disputed declaration
- An additional SIR-related declaration on the online form asked about applicants' or their parents' links to a previous SIR; the articles describe its requirements differently, including references to parents' dates and places of birth.
- Supreme Court position
- The court said it had not approved a modified Form 6 and wants authenticated records showing who made or authorized changes.
- Interim relief
- The court declined to suspend the CEC ex parte, issued notices to respondents, and said they should be heard first.
- Election Commission position
- The ECI said the Bihar SIR order was unanimously approved and upheld by the Supreme Court, and that the additional declaration was specific to the SIR.
- Form status
- The additional declaration was withdrawn from online enrolment in states where the SIR was complete and remained available where the exercise was ongoing.
- Planned protests
- INDIA bloc MPs planned a march on October 6; Congress announced a nationwide Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao campaign from October 10.
- Reported objections
- The petition cites at least 14 alleged objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi concerning SIR and other electoral matters.
