Supreme Court clarifies it has not adjudicated on new ECI Form 6

The Supreme Court has clarified that it has neither approved nor rejected the modified Form 6 used by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for voter registration, setting 27 October to formally hear the matter.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana noted on Monday that the updated voter registration declaration was not in existence when the court delivered its earlier judgment on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

What the court clarified

Addressing arguments during the hearing of a fresh writ petition, the bench emphasised that its prior observations should not be interpreted as a final ruling on the modified form.

"Observations made by this court do not amount to constitutional adjudication. There has been no adjudication on the new Form 6 and that is all we have said," the bench stated, pointing out that the modified declaration was introduced after the Bihar judgment was delivered.

Justice Bagchi reiterated that the court's earlier comments simply reflected the timeline of events. The bench noted that because the modified form did not exist at the time of the earlier judgment, the top court had not expressed any opinion approving or disapproving its contents.

The context behind Form 6

Form 6 is the statutory application used by eligible citizens across the country to seek inclusion in electoral rolls under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

To ensure thorough verification during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise aimed at maintaining robust and accurate voter rolls, an additional declaration was incorporated into the online registration portal. The declaration asked new applicants whether they or their family members were recorded in earlier revision rolls.

The Election Commission has consistently maintained that the underlying statutory Form 6 prescribed under electoral rules remains intact for routine registration. The additional declaration served as a focused addendum specifically tailored to streamline identification during the intensive revision period in targeted areas. Once the SIR exercise concluded in those regions, online procedures reverted seamlessly to the standard statutory Form 6.

Hearing set for October 27

The clarification comes as part of broader proceedings concerning institutional procedures and administrative decision-making within the poll panel. A writ petition filed by Priya Mishra and former Madhya Pradesh Law Minister PC Sharma has asked the court to examine administrative processes followed within the three-member commission.

The top court has issued notice on the petition and scheduled it for a joint hearing on 27 October, alongside connected matters concerning the electoral roll revision framework. The upcoming hearing will provide structured legal clarity on the execution of revision exercises as the nation continues to strengthen its democratic institutions and voter registration infrastructure.