EC REMOVES RE-ENROLMENT BARRIER, CLEARS WAY FOR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED VOTERS TO RECLAIM THEIR NAMES

November 3, 2026

The Election Commission of India has clarified that voters whose names are missing from the draft electoral rolls published during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can submit Form 6 to seek inclusion in the final voters' list, even if they were registered voters previously. The decision is aimed at addressing confusion among electors who feared that applying through a form intended for first-time registration could expose them to legal consequences.

The Commission clarified that submitting Form 6 in such circumstances would not, by itself, constitute a false declaration merely because the applicant had previously been enrolled in an electoral roll. It also directed electoral authorities not to initiate proceedings under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, solely on the ground of previous registration.

The protection applies provided the applicant is not already enrolled in another Assembly or Parliamentary constituency and fulfils the other applicable legal requirements. The Commission has instructed state and Union Territory election authorities to publicise the clarification widely through local media and regional languages.

The clarification provides an important procedural route for eligible voters whose names have disappeared from the draft rolls to seek their inclusion in the final electoral list without unnecessary fear of prosecution.