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CJI Says Supreme Court Did Not Approve Form 6 Changes
Form 6 is used by people applying to join the voter list.
The law lists what this form should ask.
An online version added questions about whether applicants or their relatives appeared in older voter lists.
Two Election Commissioners objected, saying the change was not authorised.
The article says a formal change would require the Union government to amend the rules and publish a notification.
The Election Commission said the added questions had been removed in states where the voter-list review was finished.
They remained in places where that review was still happening.
Chief Justice Surya Kant said the Supreme Court had not approved the changes.
The court said it would look into who made them after receiving a report from the Election Commission.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the Supreme Court had not approved any modifications to Form 6.
The court said it would examine who changed the form after receiving a report from the Election Commission.
The online ECINET version added questions about applicants’ or relatives’ names in earlier Special Intensive Revision electoral rolls.
Two Election Commissioners reportedly objected to the changes, which were not made through a formal amendment.
The Election Commission said it removed the declaration in states where the revision had concluded, while it remained in states where the process was ongoing.
- Who
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the Supreme Court, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- The Supreme Court said it had not approved changes to Form 6 and would examine who made them.
- Where
- India; the changes appeared on the Election Commission’s ECINET online portal.
- When
- Monday, October 5; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- Petitions challenged the changes, which added questions about applicants’ or relatives’ inclusion in earlier Special Intensive Revision electoral rolls.
Court and critics of the changes
Election Commission statement
Whether the Supreme Court approved the declaration
Court and critics of the changes
Chief Justice Surya Kant said the Supreme Court had not approved any modifications to Form 6.
Election Commission statement
The Election Commission’s press note said the Supreme Court had upheld the declaration; the article says the court’s May 27 order does not appear to say this in terms.
Whether the Form 6 changes were authorised
Court and critics of the changes
Two Election Commissioners objected to the changes as unauthorised and illegal; the article says a formal amendment and Gazette notification were required.
Election Commission statement
The Election Commission said the rules-based forms would be used during non-SIR periods and announced removal of the declaration in states where the SIR had concluded.
Key facts
- Form 6
- Statutory application form for people newly eligible to vote and deleted voters applying afresh.
- Relevant rules
- Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
- Added questions
- Asked whether an applicant, parent, or grandparent appeared in an earlier Special Intensive Revision electoral roll.
- Formal amendment authority
- The article says changes require an amendment and Gazette notification by the Law and Justice Ministry.
- Election Commissioners’ objections
- The Indian Express investigation reported that two Election Commissioners objected to decisions and orders at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Removal announcement
- On September 26, the Election Commission said it had removed the declaration in states where the Special Intensive Revision had concluded.
- Court review
- The Supreme Court said it would examine who modified the form after receiving an Election Commission report.
Quotes
Representation of the People Act, 1950, Section 28
A statutory provision describing the Union government’s rule-making power.
“The Central Government may, after consulting the Election Commission by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.”
indianexpress.com
“For non-SIR period, the Forms applicable as per Rules (the Registration of Electors Rules 1960) will be used.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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