ECI still insisting on Form 6 for excluded voters in Delhi SIR, petitioners make urgent mentioning in Supreme Court

The house-to-door distribution of enumeration forms in Delhi follows the recent Census of India exercises and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was still insisting that voters excluded after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi fill up Form 6, which is meant exclusively for new voters.

On October 28, the Supreme Court made it clear that the ECI was in “error” to force pre-existing voters, deleted from the electoral rolls, to apply as new voters under Form 6 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Also Read | No action against voters seeking re-enrolment through Form 6: ECI

Petitioners, activists Anjali Bhardwaj and Amrita Johri, represented by advocates Mr. Bhushan, Cheryl D’souza and Neha Rathi, had submitted on October 28 that the ECI was compelling voters to misrepresent themselves as new applicants, an offence which attracts imprisonment.

On October 28, the apex court had orally nudged the ECI that such purged voters should be allowed to use Form 8/enumeration form.

Also Read | ECI’s stand that additional declaration is not part of Form 6 comes days after SC said it will examine ‘new’ Form 6

On Wednesday (November 4, 2026), the CJI said the case would be heard after Deepavali holidays, the voters need not fear when the Supreme Court was already dealing with the case.

The CJI noted that the ECI has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections to November 25 from the earlier deadline of October 30.

Also Read | Can you punish laxity by forfeiting the right to vote forever, Supreme Court asks ECI

Mr. Bhushan said the voters feared that making a declaration in Form 6 that they were fresh voters would invite prosecution.

“They are in the horns of a dilemma,” Mr. Bhushan submitted.

Also Read | Changes to Form 6 not made by court; post-retirement immunity to CEC not given to even judges: Supreme Court

“We are dealing with the matter, how can they feel like that,” the CJI assured.

The Bench asked the petitioners to file an application on this aspect, and said the matter would be heard on November 19.

Editorial | Deemed ineligible: On the Supreme Court and SIR

If required, the Bench further stated that the ECI could be asked to extend the date further.

Published - November 04, 2026 12:17 pm IST