India Election Commission Vows No Prosecution for Deleted Voters

The Election Commission of India clarified on November 3 and 4, 2026, that voters omitted from draft electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) may submit Form 6 to seek re-inclusion without risking prosecution. Form 6 is typically reserved for first-time enrollments and requires a declaration that the applicant is being included for the first time. The commission stated that using this form will not constitute a false declaration under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, provided the voter is not enrolled in another constituency.

This move follows a Delhi High Court order and questioning by the Supreme Court of India regarding the exclusion of approximately 47.56 lakh electors in Delhi. On November 4, Chief Justice Surya Kant assured petitioners that the court is addressing the matter and that voters need not be apprehensive. The court has scheduled a further hearing for November 19 and may order an extension of the November 25 deadline for claims and objections.

To address allegations that it modified statutory forms without law ministry approval, the commission separated the Form 6 and SIR declaration in its online system. Applicants must now complete separate OTP verifications and e-Signs for each document. While the commission maintains the process is legal, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi argued that forcing deleted voters to use Form 6 constitutes a criminal offense. The SIR process has also led to protests and calls for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.