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6h ago

ECI Tells Voters Missing From Draft Rolls to File Form 6 and Bars Automatic Action Under Section 31

The clarification aims to ease voter fear of prosecution so more eligible electors can be added to final rolls during the Special Intensive Revision.

SIR
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The ECI’s letter directed that EROs should not initiate action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, merely because an elector had appeared in a previous electoral roll and submitted Form 6 during the SIR or afterwards.

Overview

  • The Election Commission of India has instructed previously enrolled voters whose names are missing from Special Intensive Revision draft rolls to submit Form 6 to seek inclusion in the final electoral roll.
  • The Commission said submission of Form 6 alone will not trigger prosecution under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act provided the elector is not enrolled elsewhere and the declaration complies with law.
  • Citing the Delhi High Court's October 14, 2026 order, the ECI issued the clarification on November 3, 2026 to address legal uncertainty about the Form 6 declaration that states an entry is 'for the first time.'
  • The ECI told state and union territory chief electoral officers to publicize the guidance widely in local languages so voters will not be deterred from re‑enrolling.
  • The change clarifies how Form 6 and Section 31 interact during SIR, and petitioners have also urged the ECI to allow use of other enrollment forms where appropriate to avoid forcing deleted or shifted electors to enrol as new voters.