On 1 October 2026, senior Congress leaders raised fresh allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI). They claim that the online Form 6 was altered illegally and that the change was pushed through by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, allegedly under pressure from the ruling PM‑HM duo. The controversy also implicates the private IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Key Developments
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X asking who at the ECI ordered TCS to modify Form 6 and who signed off on it.
- Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the change was introduced in mid‑July 2026 to remove Gen‑Z voters from the roll, calling it an unconstitutional move.
- The opposition INDIA bloc announced nationwide ‘save democracy’ marches and a planned march to the ECI headquarters on 6 October 2026.
- Opposition MPs will meet the President to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- Two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, have recorded at least 14 objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in various states.
- The EC maintains that internal dissent is normal and that all its orders have full legal sanction.
Important Facts
The contested change removed the requirement of attaching a declaration to Form 6 in non‑SIR states, a move the opposition says was designed to disenfranchise younger voters. The ECI’s own records, as cited by Rahul Gandhi, indicate that the alteration was not approved through the usual procedural channels. The controversy has prompted calls for judicial intervention, with Congress urging the Supreme Court to hold the officials accountable.
Exam Relevance
- Understanding the constitutional role and independence of the ECI (GS2).
- Implications of altering voter‑registration procedures on democratic legitimacy (GS2).
- Legal avenues for redress, including the role of the Supreme Court (GS1).
- Impact of outsourcing critical electoral technology to private firms like TCS (GS2).
- Political dynamics between the ruling party and opposition in shaping electoral reforms (GS2).
Way Forward
Stakeholders are likely to pursue three parallel tracks: (1) the opposition will intensify protests and seek a judicial review of the Form 6 amendment; (2) the EC may issue a clarification or revert the change to restore confidence; and (3) the Supreme Court could be approached for an interim order pending a full hearing. Aspirants should monitor how these developments influence future electoral reforms and the broader discourse on institutional autonomy.