The Election Commission has added a new declaration to the online version of Form 6, used for new voter enrolment. Applicants must now state whether they or their parents appeared in the previous Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The declaration is visible only on the ECINET portal and does not appear in the statutory Form 6 used for offline applications. It offers three choices: the applicant’s name was on the earlier roll, a parent or grandparent was listed, or neither the applicant nor their parents or grandparents were included.
Those selecting the first or second option must supply the assembly constituency, polling station number and serial number from the prior roll. Applicants unable to provide these details can continue only by choosing the third option.
Although not labelled mandatory, the online form cannot be submitted without completing the section. The portal gives no information on the consequences of selecting the option that neither the applicant nor family members were on the previous roll.
The declaration is active in states and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision took place or is under way in 2025-26. Bihar and Assam are excluded.
Form 6 is governed by the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. No gazette notification from the Law Ministry since last June shows any formal amendment to include the new declaration. Former officials note that even small changes to statutory forms normally require rule amendments and Law Ministry notification.
The move comes as the ongoing revision has removed more than 5.58 crore names from rolls in ten states and three Union Territories. In West Bengal alone, over 27 lakh names were deleted, with some appeals still pending.
Form 6 is used by those turning 18, acquiring citizenship or seeking re-enrolment after deletion. The existing format already asks for details of family members living with the applicant.
The Election Commission has not issued a statement on the addition or on whether statutory changes are planned.
