ECI separates online Form 6, Accompanying Statement for States undergoing SIR
A view of the Election Commission of India logo in Nirvachan Sadan. File | Photo credit: RV Moorthy
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has separated Form 6, which is used for fresh voter registration, and the accompanying statement in its online version in states where the SIR exercise is underway.
Earlier in September, it had pulled the statement from its digital platforms in states where the SIR had been completed.
Form 6 is used for new voter registrations and a separate declaration in physical forms has been added to it from SIR Bihar. In the digital mode, however, it was one form, including the declaration.
The ECI reasoned that a single OTP for two documents led to allegations that the form had been modified without the approval of the Union Law Ministry.
This change in the online version of Form 6 was one of the issues raised by two Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi in dissenting remarks.
On Wednesday, a senior ECI official said, “Earlier, Form 6 and accompanying declaration were submitted together using a single OTP and e-Sign for the operational convenience of applicants. As per the revised process, each has to be submitted separately, which requires separate verification of OTP and e-Sign. Applicants have to complete both steps for successful submission.”
Affidavit in court
The ECI, in a counter-affidavit submitted to the court last week, said that as per the October 21 decision of its Electoral Rolls Department, “similar to physical submissions, online Form 6 applications will also be divided into two distinct parts: Form 6 as prescribed in the rules; and the SIR statement”.
The ECI on Tuesday clarified that no action will be taken against voters merely on the basis that the voter was included in the previous electoral roll and submitted Form 6 during or after the SIR process, provided he is no longer enrolled in any other parliamentary or parliamentary constituency.
Published – 04 Nov 2026 20:53 IST