Election Commission separates online Form 6 and revision declaration

The Election Commission has separated online Form 6 and revision declaration submissions. The change aligns digital applications with physical filings and addresses legal concerns.

In Short

• Change follows affidavit filed by poll panel in Supreme Court
• Missing registered voters feared prosecution over claims of first-time enrolment
• Applicants must now complete both steps using independent electronic signatures

The Election Commission has separated the online submission of the voter enrolment form and its accompanying declaration in states where the special intensive revision of electoral rolls is under way, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The change follows the commission's affidavit in the Supreme Court. It comes amid concerns that previously enrolled voters whose names are missing from draft rolls could face legal consequences for using a form that states they are seeking enrolment for the first time.

Form 6 is used by people seeking inclusion in the electoral roll. Since the revision exercise in Bihar, the Election Commission has also required applicants to submit a declaration containing details related to the revision status of their parents.

In physical applications, Form 6 and the declaration are filled separately. However, the online process earlier allowed applicants to submit both documents using a single one-time password and electronic signature. This had led to suggestions that the commission had altered Form 6 without the Union law ministry's approval.

Election Commission officials told PTI on Wednesday that the submission process for Form 6 and the declaration had been revised. "Previously, Form 6 and the accompanying declaration were submitted together using a single OTP and e-Sign for the operational convenience of applicants. Under the revised process, each must be submitted separately, requiring a separate OTP verification and e-Sign. Applicants must complete both steps for successful submission," a senior official said.

In its recent affidavit in the Supreme Court, the commission said its electoral roll division had decided on October 21 that online applications, like physical submissions, would be divided into two distinct parts: Form 6 as prescribed under the rules and the special intensive revision declaration.

In September, the commission had withdrawn the declaration from its digital platforms in states where the revision exercise had been completed.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission said previously enrolled voters could submit Form 6 if their names were missing from draft electoral rolls prepared during the revision. The clarification followed concerns that doing so could amount to a false declaration and invite prosecution under electoral law.

The revised process now requires Form 6 and the accompanying declaration to be submitted separately online, bringing digital applications in line with physical submissions in states where the electoral roll revision is continuing.

- Ends