12 hrs ago
Form 6 Declaration Sparks Dispute Over India’s Voter Roll Revision
Form 6 is the form people use to ask to be added to India’s voter list.
A new version asked applicants whether they or some relatives had been listed in an older voter roll.
The article says people applying online had to answer that question before submitting the form.
Two election commissioners reportedly said the change should not have been made without a formal rule change.
The Election Commission said the Supreme Court had upheld the declaration.
But the Supreme Court said it had not approved changes to Form 6.
The disagreement has become part of a larger dispute over the voter-list revision.
The article says the Court is hearing related petitions.
Form 6 is used to apply for new voter registration, including by people whose names were deleted.
A version published in July added an online declaration about whether applicants or relatives appeared in an earlier electoral roll.
The article says applicants could not submit the online form without completing the declaration, although it was not labelled mandatory.
Two election commissioners reportedly objected that the change required a rule amendment and government notification.
The Election Commission said the declaration had Supreme Court approval, while the Court said it had not approved modifications to Form 6.
- Who
- The Election Commission of India, two election commissioners who reportedly objected, and the Supreme Court.
- What
- A dispute over an added declaration in Form 6, the application for new voter registration.
- Where
- India; the declaration appeared on the online Form 6 portal in states where the SIR was underway.
- When
- The revised form was published in July; the article reports the Supreme Court’s clarification on Monday, October 5.
- Why
- The dispute concerns whether the declaration could be added without changing the governing rules and whether the Supreme Court had approved it.
Critics and reported internal objections
Election Commission
Authority to change Form 6
Critics and reported internal objections
Two election commissioners reportedly said the change could not be made without amending the rules; the article says no government notification was issued.
Election Commission
The Election Commission said the declaration attached to Form 6 for the SIR had been upheld by the Supreme Court.
Effect on applicants
Critics and reported internal objections
The opposition argued that asking for earlier-roll information about applicants or relatives could make it harder for first-time voters to register.
Election Commission
The Commission defended including the declaration for the SIR; the article does not provide a detailed response to the concern about first-time voters.
Whether the Court approved the change
Critics and reported internal objections
The Supreme Court said it had not approved any modifications to Form 6.
Election Commission
The Commission maintained that a Supreme Court order concerning the Bihar SIR upheld the declaration.
Key facts
- Form 6 purpose
- Application for new voter registration, also used by deleted voters applying afresh.
- New declaration
- Asked whether the applicant, a parent, or a grandparent appeared in the earlier electoral roll, or whether none did.
- Reported online requirement
- The declaration was not marked mandatory, but applicants reportedly could not submit the online form without completing it.
- Legal provision cited
- Section 28 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, on making rules under the Act.
- Election commissioners’ reported objection
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly argued the change required a rule amendment.
- Election Commission’s position
- It said the declaration for the SIR had been upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court clarification
- Chief Justice Surya Kant said the Court had not approved modifications to Form 6.
Quotes
Election Commission of India
India’s election authority, defending the declaration in a press note.
“It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally. This is just one more proof of him abusing his position to help the BJP. He and everyone else involved in this criminal assault on our democracy will be held accountable.”
firstpost.com
“The declaration attached to Form 6 has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For non-SIR period, the forms applicable as per the Rules [the Registration of Electors Rules 1960] will be used.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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