Maharashtra’s chief electoral officer has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to modify Form 6 so that previously registered voters whose names were removed during the voter roll cleanup exercise Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can apply for inclusion without declaring themselves first-time voters.
The state chief electoral officer’s request is aimed at making it easier for eligible voters whose names were removed during the SIR to get back on the electoral roll. However, the ECI has directed voters left out of electoral rolls during SIR to use this form to seek inclusion again. This has created a practical problem.
Because they believe declaring themselves first-time voters could amount to making a false statement, voters whose names were previously included in electoral rolls may be reluctant to submit Form 6. Because of this concern, election officials have reportedly faced difficulties persuading previously registered voters to apply for inclusion. Form 6 is generally used by people applying to register as voters.
The Maharashtra chief electoral officer’s proposal reportedly recommends three key changes, which includes removing the words “New Voters” from the title of Form 6, introducing an alternative declaration for applicants who were previously registered in an assembly constituency but are no longer enrolled anywhere and are seeking inclusion again, and allowing applicants to provide their previous Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number to help officials trace their earlier voter registration.
