New Delhi, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress leader Udit Raj has criticised the Election Commission’s SIR-linked declaration accompanying Form 6, claiming that requiring applicants to establish a link with their own or a relative’s entry in the previous voter list could make it difficult for new voters to register.
Speaking to IANS on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Raj alleged that the requirement effectively meant that an applicant’s father or grandfather would have to be present in the 2002 voter list for the person to become an eligible voter after turning 18.
“Form-6 is the main issue itself. There is a rule from 1960, and it cannot be changed. To become a voter, only three conditions are required — one must be 18 years of age, have a domicile of six months, and be eligible. SIR is nowhere,” Raj said.
He also questioned how the SIR requirement came into the process and alleged that changes had been made to the online version of Form 6 despite no corresponding change in the hard copy.
The Election Commission has said there has been no change to the statutory Form 6. It has clarified that the requirement concerning the applicant’s or parents’ linkage with the previous SIR electoral roll was introduced through a separate declaration, known as Annexure D, to accompany Form 6 in areas where SIR is being conducted.
The ECI’s current voter services portal continues to list Form 6 as the application for new voter registration.
Raj also criticised the handling of the issue by election officials and alleged that the matter had not been adequately clarified.
On the proposed INDIA bloc meeting on September 30, Raj said Opposition and regional parties should take up the issue jointly. He argued that regional parties had a greater responsibility to raise questions over the SIR exercise.
“This fight can no longer be fought inside Parliament. It can only be fought on the streets now,” he said.
The Election Commission has maintained that the SIR-related declaration accompanying Form 6 remains applicable in states and Union Territories where the exercise is underway, while applicants in areas outside the ongoing SIR exercise will not need to provide the additional mapping declaration.
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