Supreme Court Seeks ECI Records on Form 6 Changes: Latest Update

 Supreme Court Seeks ECI Records on Form 6 Changes Amid SIR Row

The Supreme Court has sought records from the Election Commission of India (ECI) concerning alleged changes to Form 6, the statutory form used by eligible citizens to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls. The development comes amid an ongoing controversy over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, clarified that the Supreme Court had not approved any modification to Form 6. The bench said it would examine the Election Commission's records to determine whether changes were made and, if so, who authorised them.

 Supreme Court Clarifies Its Position on Form 6

The court's clarification followed claims surrounding an additional declaration associated with Form 6 during the SIR exercise. The Election Commission had earlier stated that the declaration attached to Form 6 had been upheld by the Supreme Court in its earlier proceedings related to the Bihar SIR.

However, during Monday's hearing, CJI Surya Kant made it clear that the court had not approved any modification to the form. The bench indicated that the relevant records would be examined before reaching conclusions about how the changes were introduced.

 What Is Form 6?

Form 6 is an important electoral document used by eligible citizens seeking registration as voters. Any alteration to the statutory requirements governing voter registration can therefore have significant implications for the electoral process.

The controversy centres on allegations that additional requirements concerning an applicant's ancestry and links to previous SIR electoral rolls were introduced through the Election Commission's systems. The petitioners have argued that such changes could not be made without following the prescribed legal procedure under the **Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Petition Raises Questions Over ECI Decision-Making

The matter is linked to a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi. The petition challenges decisions, guidelines and software changes allegedly introduced without the concurrence of the other Election Commissioners.

The petition claims that the changes to Form 6 were not supported by the statutory process required for modifying electoral registration forms. It also raises broader questions about collective decision-making within the Election Commission.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the disputed declaration was part of the SIR process and has defended the legality of its actions.

Why the Case Matters

The Supreme Court's decision to examine the ECI records is significant because Form 6 directly concerns voter registration and, consequently, citizens' participation in elections. The proceedings could clarify whether the disputed changes were formally authorised and whether the proper statutory procedure was followed.

The case also comes amid wider political and legal debates surrounding the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Supreme Court's scrutiny could therefore have implications beyond the Form 6 controversy.

For now, the court has sought the relevant records from the Election Commission. The documents are expected to help establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged changes and determine whether the modifications were legally authorised.

The Supreme Court's examination is being closely watched as the dispute raises fundamental questions about voter registration, electoral transparency and the statutory powers of the Election Commission.