Supreme Court Receives Assurance from Election Commission on Voter Registration Process

The Election Commission has clarified to the Supreme Court that voters whose names are missing from the draft electoral rolls can reapply using Form 6 without fear of prosecution. This assurance aims to alleviate concerns regarding legal repercussions for previously registered voters. The Commission has also taken steps to ensure that all eligible voters are included in the final electoral rolls while preventing duplicate registrations. With ongoing efforts to engage with voters categorized as ASDD, the EC remains committed to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process amidst challenges posed by digital data management.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 15, 2026, 14:00 IST

Clarification on Voter Registration

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has informed the Supreme Court that individuals whose names are absent from the draft electoral rolls, despite prior enrollment, can reapply using Form 6 without the risk of facing legal action.

In an affidavit submitted to the court, the electoral body stated that chief electoral officers have been instructed to widely disseminate this clarification in local languages.

The Commission noted that concerns had been raised regarding the potential for prosecution under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, for those who had previously registered but found their names missing in the draft rolls when applying via Form 6.

To alleviate these concerns, the Commission clarified that no legal action would be taken against anyone for submitting Form 6 solely because their name was not included in the draft electoral roll, as long as they are not registered in another constituency and their declaration complies with legal requirements.

The EC also acknowledged the Supreme Court's recommendation to engage with voters categorized as ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate) for their inclusion in the electoral rolls.

In response, the Commission has implemented additional measures to assist voters, including directives issued on November 6, 2026, to the Chief Electoral Officers in states and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is in progress.

The EC has instructed that voters can submit their completed Enumeration Form (Annexure A) to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), or Booth Level Officer (BLO) at their current residence.

Voters who have not changed their residence may submit the signed Enumeration Form along with an Annexure-B statement explaining the previous non-submission. This can be done in person or through family members, with an online submission option available via e-sign on ECINET.

The Commission has also mandated the establishment of a system to ensure that no eligible voter is denied the chance to have their name included in the final electoral roll, while also preventing duplicate registrations.

The EC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, acknowledging the challenges posed by the large volume of data and the digitalization of records.

While issues may arise, the Commission is dedicated to ensuring that eligible voters can find their names on the lists while addressing any discrepancies.

Previously, the EC robustly defended its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in front of the Supreme Court, asserting that the process was legally sanctioned and unanimously approved by all three commission members.

In response to claims that Form 6 had been altered, the Commission clarified that no modifications were made to the statutory Form 6 utilized for voter registration.