NEW DELHI, NOV 3 (PTI): The Election Commission on Tuesday clarified that previously enrolled voters can submit Form 6 for inclusion in the final electoral roll if their names are missing from draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) rolls in the ongoing exercise.
The clarification follows concerns that voters whose names were deleted from draft SIR rolls could make a false declaration by submitting Form 6. The form requires applicants to declare that they are seeking inclusion in the electoral roll for the first time, raising fears of prosecution under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. In a letter to all state chief electoral officers, the EC said it had been informed that some people whose names were missing from the draft rolls were hesitant to submit Form 6 because of this declaration.
The poll panel said such electors believed that submitting the form despite having been enrolled earlier could amount to a false declaration and make them liable for prosecution under Section 31 of the Act.
The EC clarified that voters whose names do not figure in the draft SIR rolls may submit Form 6 to seek fresh inclusion in the final voters’ list, even if they were enrolled previously. Submission of the form in cases where names were deleted from the draft roll would not, by itself, constitute a false declaration, it said.
An Electoral Registration Officer cannot initiate action under Section 31 merely because a previously enrolled elector submits Form 6 during or after the SIR, the EC underlined. Such action is barred unless the elector is enrolled elsewhere or has made an unlawful or false declaration.
Citing the Delhi High Court’s October 14 judgment, the EC said apprehensions about making a false declaration were misplaced.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026