India election body opens door to voter reinclusion through Form 6

Form 6 clarification

On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India said people whose names were removed during the Special Intensive Revision may apply to return to electoral rolls with Form 6. It also said applicants would not be penalized for using the form.

Form 6 asks applicants to state they are seeking voter enrolment for the first time. Critics had argued that deleted voters making that declaration to regain their place would be giving false information.

Congress rejects the move

The Congress Party described the commission’s communication as an attempt to obscure what it considers a defective process. It has argued that asking affected voters to make the declaration is misleading.

Party leader Jairam Ramesh said attempts to limit the damage would not resolve the problem. He called for the SIR to be stopped and said the responses highlighted flaws in its design.

Wider political backdrop

The revision has removed millions of voters across India and triggered a major dispute. Opposition parties have accused the Narendra Modi-led government of vote theft. After weeks of protests in the capital by young people and opposition groups over alleged election irregularities, the Bharatiya Janata Party is holding rallies in several states. The party says its rallies oppose efforts to create political instability and disrupt democratic processes.

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