Overview
The Indian National Congress has accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of illegally altering Form 6. The party urges the Supreme Court to intervene and hold the CEC accountable.
Key Developments
- On 25 September 2026, the Election Commission directed officers to set up special enrolment camps for young voters and to publicise them on social media.
- Congress alleges that earlier in July 2026 the online Form 6 was changed without any official notification.
- A new mandatory section asks applicants to state whether their parents or grandparents were listed in the previous SIR, creating a barrier for first‑time voters.
- Congress cites three violations: (i) unauthorized online change, (ii) lack of power of the Election Commission to amend the form (power lies with the Union Government under the R‑P Act, 1950), and (iii) failure to amend the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the CEC’s continuation an “affront to the people of India” and urged his resignation, echoing suggestions from Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi.
Important Facts
During the SIR exercise launched in Bihar in June 2026, about 2.37 crore young voters (aged 18‑28) were added to the rolls. However, the new declaration in the online form now requires applicants to provide SIR details of their parents, a step that poll officials say was introduced through instructions, not a formal amendment of the form.
Exam Relevance
This controversy touches on several UPSC‑relevant themes:
- Constitutional role and independence of the Election Commission.
- Division of legislative powers between the Union Government and constitutional bodies, illustrated by the R‑P Act.
- Judicial review and the concept of suo motu jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
- Impact of administrative decisions on youth voter participation, a key aspect of democratic deepening.
Way Forward
For a balanced resolution, the following steps are suggested:
- Immediate judicial scrutiny of the Form 6 amendment to ascertain its legality.
- If found unlawful, the Election Commission should revert to the original form and issue clear guidelines for SIR‑related disclosures.
- The Union Government may consider amending the Registration of Electors Rules to address any genuine concerns about duplicate or fraudulent entries, without burdening first‑time voters.
- All political parties should engage in a constructive dialogue to ensure that voter enrolment remains simple, transparent, and inclusive, especially for the youth.
These measures would safeguard the constitutional balance, protect the right to vote, and uphold the credibility of India’s electoral system.