Rahul Gandhi accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of changing voter registration Form 6 illegally

Rahul Gandhi has accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of "illegally and unilaterally" modifying voter registration Form 6, following a Supreme Court clarification that it had never approved the changes.

The row erupted on Monday after the Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission and the central government over allegations that the poll body took key decisions without the consent of its two other commissioners. During the hearing, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant challenged the commission's previous defenses.

"Any modification to Form 6 has not been approved by us. Let's be clear," Chief Justice Kant said. He added that the court would demand records to see exactly who authorized the changes, and warned that any decisions found to be unlawful would be annulled.

Seizing on the court's remarks, Gandhi shared a screenshot of an Election Commission statement from September 26 which claimed the modified form had been upheld by the Supreme Court.

"It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally," Gandhi posted on X. "This is just one more proof of him abusing his position to help the BJP. He and everyone else involved in this criminal assault on our democracy will be held accountable."

What is Form 6 and why is it contested?

Form 6 is the statutory application used by eligible citizens to register as voters for the first time. The controversy centres on changes made to the online version of the form used during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Critics, including advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi who filed the petition in the Supreme Court, allege that the updated online form introduced arbitrary declarations and questions about an applicant's ancestry. These additions, critics argue, create unnecessary barriers for new voters.

There have also been signs of internal friction within the three-member Election Commission. The other two commissioners reportedly objected to the changes earlier, arguing that the new requirements were leading to the "harassment" of young voters trying to register.

Demands for accountability

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also targeted the Election Commission chief, claiming the changes were designed to keep younger voters away.

"Obviously and very clearly the CEC lied," Ramesh said on X. He argued that the Supreme Court now has "a remarkable opportunity to restore public confidence" in the election body following what he described as damning revelations over voter deletions and a lack of due process.

While the Supreme Court refused to block Gyanesh Kumar from making decisions while the case is pending, it indicated it would examine the legal immunity clauses that protect the chief election commissioner.

"We will examine all the decisions," Chief Justice Kant said. "If any decision is not in accordance with the law, we will annul it."