New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing concerns regarding the special intensive revision of the voter list, the Election Commission has made it clear in the Supreme Court that no case will be filed against any voter for filling Form 6. The Commission has said in the affidavit filed in the court that instructions have been given to the Chief Electoral Officers of all the states to remove the misconceptions spread in this regard.
What were you apprehensive about?
According to the Commission, some people were afraid that those whose names were in the earlier voter list but did not appear in the draft list during SIR, if they fill Form 6 to get their names added again, then they could face a case under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Clearing this apprehension, the Commission said that no action will be taken against anyone merely on the basis that his name was in the earlier list and did not appear in the draft list. The only condition is that the person should not be already registered as a voter in any other Lok Sabha or Assembly seat and the declaration form given by him should be correct as per the law.
The Commission said that Chief Electoral Officers have been asked to publicize this clarification extensively in local languages, so that this information reaches every voter and no one misses out on adding his/her name due to fear.
Special steps for voters with ASDD
On the suggestion of the Supreme Court, the Commission has also taken steps to contact the voters left out in the absent, shifted, dead or duplicate i.e. ASDD category. The Commission issued instructions to the authorities of the States and Union Territories having SIR on November 6, 2026. Under this, voters can submit the filled enumeration form for their existing house to ERO, AERO or BLO. Voters who have not shifted anywhere can submit the signed form along with Annexure-B, in which the reason for not filling the form will have to be mentioned first. It can be deposited in person or through a family member. There will also be an option to submit online with e-sign on ECInet.
No eligible voter will be left out
The Commission said that such a system is being made so that no eligible voter is deprived of getting his name added to the final voter list. Besides, full attention will also be given to preventing duplicate names. The Commission said that it is its constitutional duty to keep the election process pure. There are a large number of people involved in this and there are challenges as all the data is digital. Problems have been arising from time to time, but the objective of the Commission is to ensure that the names of eligible people are included in the list and mistakes are rectified.
The Commission had earlier also defended the SIR in the court, saying that this work was necessary under the law and the orders related to it were unanimously approved by all three members of the Commission. The Commission also rejected the allegations of changes in Form 6 and said that no changes have been made in the legal Form 6.