The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that there has been no alteration to Form 6, even as the organisation’s officials unanimously ratified the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) orders relevant to several states and union territories. Sources within the ECI conveyed that both Election Commissioners, alongside the Chief Election Commissioner, have given their consent to the SIR orders applicable to Bihar, Assam, and a total of 31 other states and union territories.

In line with Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the approved SIR orders include an additional Declaration Form that new voters are required to submit alongside Form 6. The ECI emphasised that this declaration is supplementary and does not modify the existing Form 6, thereby maintaining its original status.

Objections Raised by Election Commissioners

Commissioner Joshi had cautioned that changes to Form 6 would necessitate government amendment of the relevant laws. Sandhu supported these objections, characterising the alterations as unauthorized and illegal. He called for the review and immediate removal of any unapproved changes to the form. Both former Chief Election Commissioner O. P. Rawat and former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa have endorsed the concerns articulated by Joshi and Sandhu.

Despite the pushback, the ECI has reiterated that Form 6 remains unchanged. The Commission clarified that the added requirement is a separate declaration, labelled Annexure D, alongside the existing Form 6. This distinction aims to clarify any misunderstandings regarding the status of Form 6 amidst the new requirements.

Details on Additional Requirements and Instructions

The Election Commission furnished additional details regarding the requirements tied to the SIR initiative. According to statements made to India Today, the additional declaration concerning the linkage with parents and grandparents is considered a required element that must be submitted with Form 6, but does not affect the form itself. The emphasis on maintaining the integrity of Form 6 has been a focal point for the Commission.

Moreover, the ECI outlined the updated instructions which were disseminated on June 24, 2025, prior to the initiation of the exercise in Bihar. The directive states that anyone registering as a new elector must fill out Annexure D, in conjunction with Form 6 or Form 8, thereby reinforcing the procedural requirements for voter registration while ensuring compliance with legal mandates.

Form 8 serves as a registration mechanism for voters relocating to a new constituency. Consequently, while the official documentation of Form 6 remains unchanged in terms of its presentation, the additional declaration under the SIR rules continues to function as a mandatory requirement, reflecting the evolving landscape of electoral procedures in India.

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