Supreme Court clarifies that it neither approved nor rejected the ECI’s revised Form 6, raising fresh questions over changes to the voter registration form. (Images: X)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that it has neither approved nor rejected the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) revised Form 6, the application used by individuals seeking to register as voters for the first time. The clarification came during a hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Priya Mishra and another petitioner against the Union of India, through the Chief Election Commissioner, and other respondents.
The bench pointed out that the modified Form 6 did not exist when the Supreme Court heard the matter concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. It clarified that the court’s earlier observations on the revised form should not be interpreted as either an endorsement or a rejection of the Election Commission’s changes. The clarification comes amid questions over the use of the revised form during the electoral roll revision process in different states.
During a hearing on October 5, the Supreme Court had made it clear that the modified Form 6 had not received its approval. The bench had also expressed its intention to examine who had made the changes to the form. The court’s remarks are now being cited in the ongoing debate over the revised voter registration document and the Election Commission’s position regarding its status.
During Monday’s proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel argued that the Election Commission had represented the revised Form 6 as having the Supreme Court’s approval. The counsel referred to the court’s October 5 observations in support of the argument. The bench, however, reiterated that its earlier statement was limited to clarifying that the modified form was not in existence when the Bihar SIR matter was heard. The court emphasised that this observation did not amount to either approval or disapproval of the revised form.
Form 6 is used by individuals applying for inclusion in the electoral rolls for the first time. The document has become relevant amid the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which aims to review and update voter lists. The Supreme Court’s latest clarification distinguishes between the court’s earlier observations and any formal judicial decision on the Election Commission’s revised form.
