SUPREME COURT QUESTIONS LEGAL BASIS OF EC’S VOTER-ROLL FORM 6 PROCESS

October 5, 2026

NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court has raised significant questions over the Election Commission’s handling of Form 6 during its exercise to revise electoral rolls, observing that the form had not received the court’s approval.

The observation came during the hearing of petitions challenging the Election Commission’s decision to undertake a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The proceedings focused on the procedure being followed by the poll panel and the legal basis for requiring documents and declarations from voters.

The court’s remarks placed particular attention on Form 6, which is used for applying for inclusion of a person’s name in the electoral roll. The judges questioned whether the Election Commission could introduce or rely upon additional requirements without an appropriate legal foundation.

The hearing also examined broader concerns surrounding the voter-verification exercise, including the burden placed on citizens and the safeguards necessary to ensure that eligible voters are not excluded from electoral rolls.

The Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is intended to ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls. Petitioners, however, have argued that the exercise could create difficulties for genuine voters if documentation requirements are applied too strictly.

The Supreme Court’s observations have added a significant constitutional and legal dimension to the dispute. The proceedings are being closely watched as the court considers the limits of the Election Commission’s authority and the safeguards required during large-scale electoral-roll revisions.