ECINET Form 6: New Declaration Requirement

Context

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new declaration in the online ECINET Form 6, requiring applicants for fresh voter registration to furnish details of their parents’ electoral status in the last Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The move has raised concerns over whether the change has been introduced in accordance with the prescribed statutory procedure.

New Declaration Requirement

1. Form 6, prescribed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, is the statutory application for enrolment as a new elector.
2. Under the revised online process, applicants must declare the electoral status of either parent in the last SIR.
   1. Where either parent was enrolled, applicants must provide the Assembly Constituency, Polling Booth (Part) and Serial Number in the electoral roll.
   2. Where neither parent was enrolled, applicants must furnish the parents’ names and Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers, wherever available.
3. The requirement applies in all States and Union Territories where the SIR has been completed or is underway, except Bihar.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR): Current Status

1. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive revision of electoral rolls undertaken to verify voter eligibility and prepare accurate electoral rolls through fresh verification.
2. Since June 2025, the exercise has been completed in 13 States/UTs and is underway in 19 States/UTs.
3. It has not yet been announced for Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
4. In Assam, the exercise has been deferred until completion of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
5. Nationwide, the exercise has resulted in the deletion of around 5.58 crore entries, mainly due to death, migration, duplicate enrolment and prolonged absence.
6. In West Bengal, nearly 27 lakh electors were removed following adjudication proceedings, with appeals pending before the appellate tribunals.

Legal and Constitutional Issues

1. Constitutional Basis

1. Article 326 guarantees every adult citizen ordinarily resident in a constituency the right to be enrolled as an elector, subject only to disqualifications prescribed by law.

1. Statutory Framework

1. The Representation of the People Act, 1950 empowers the Central Government to frame rules relating to electoral registration.
2. Under Section 28, amendments to these rules must:
   1. Be made after consultation with the Election Commission.
   2. Be notified in the Official Gazette.
   3. Be laid before Parliament.

Due Process Concerns

1. As Form 6 forms part of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, any modification requires a formal amendment notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
2. No Gazette notification has been issued incorporating the new declaration.
3. The downloadable version of Form 6 also does not contain the additional declaration, raising concerns regarding procedural compliance and statutory validity.

Implications

1. First-time voters may face practical difficulties in tracing their parents’ electoral details from the last SIR.
2. The Election Commission has not clarified whether failure to provide these details could affect voter enrolment.
3. The ongoing SIR requires documentary verification of voter eligibility, including citizenship-related records, making the declaration requirement more consequential.
4. The implications for applicants whose parents’ names have already been deleted from electoral rolls remain uncertain.

Significance

1. Reinforces statutory compliance in electoral reforms.
2. Highlights the need to balance electoral integrity with the constitutional guarantee of universal adult suffrage.
3. Promotes transparency, accountability and legal certainty in voter registration.
4. Emphasises accessible and non-discriminatory enrolment of eligible electors.

Conclusion

The new declaration requirement reflects the Election Commission’s effort to strengthen the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls. However, changes affecting voter enrolment must be supported by statutory authority and implemented through due process. Balancing electoral integrity with transparency, legal certainty and inclusive voter registration will be essential to uphold the constitutional promise of universal adult suffrage.