The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced an additional declaration for citizens applying to be enrolled as new voters, requiring applicants to provide information related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The move is aimed at improving voter record verification and strengthening the accuracy of electoral rolls.

Under the revised application process, individuals submitting Form 6—used for fresh voter registration—will now be required to furnish details regarding whether they or their parents are listed in the electoral rolls prepared during the last Special Intensive Revision. The requirement has been incorporated through administrative instructions rather than a formal amendment to Form 6, according to Election Commission officials. (The New Indian Express)

Additional Declaration Made Mandatory

Officials said the declaration is intended to help election authorities establish linkages between new applicants and existing electoral records, thereby reducing the need for multiple supporting documents during the verification process. 

For applicants using the online registration portal, the declaration has become a mandatory step. The application cannot be submitted unless the required information is provided. 

Three Options for Applicants

According to reports, new applicants are asked to select one of the following declarations while completing the registration process:

• Their own name exists in the electoral roll prepared during the last SIR.

• The name of a parent or grandparent (father, mother, grandfather or grandmother) exists in the electoral roll prepared during the last SIR.

• Neither the applicant nor their parents or grandparents are listed in the last SIR electoral roll. 

Election officials say these declarations assist in mapping family records within the electoral database and facilitate smoother verification during enrolment.

No Formal Amendment to Form 6

While reports initially suggested that Form 6 itself had been modified with an additional column, Election Commission officials clarified that the statutory form has not been amended. Instead, the declaration has been introduced through operational instructions accompanying the application process. Similar declarations were previously used during the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar and have now been extended to new voter registrations. 

Part of Wider Electoral Roll Verification

The latest requirement comes as the Election Commission continues implementing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in several states to update electoral rolls by identifying duplicate, shifted, deceased and otherwise ineligible entries while ensuring that eligible citizens are enrolled. 

Election authorities maintain that the verification process is designed to improve the integrity and accuracy of voter databases. The Commission has also stated that the SIR process is transparent, constitutional and intended to streamline voter registration by linking new applications with existing electoral records wherever possible. 

The revised declaration is expected to become a key component of new voter enrolment as electoral roll revision exercises continue across different states ahead of upcoming elections.