No Declaration Form Needed in States Where SIR is Finished: ECI
The Election Commission clarifies that the Declaration Form is no longer required in states where Special Intensive Revision is complete or yet to start.
In a significant clarification regarding electoral processes, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that the mandatory Declaration Form will no longer be required in States and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has already been completed or has not yet commenced. This decision aims to streamline the application process for voters in specific regions.
Clarification on Form 6 and SIR Procedures
An official from the poll body confirmed on Wednesday that there has been no modification to Form 6 itself, regardless of whether a region is undergoing the SIR process or is in a non-SIR period. The Declaration Form, which was previously an additional requirement, served a specific purpose during the SIR exercise.
What was the Declaration Form?
The form required new applicants to provide specific details that linked themselves, their parents, or their grandparents to electoral rolls that were established during previous intensive revision cycles. According to the Commission, this requirement was implemented following a unanimous decision based on orders issued in June 2025.
The ECI had previously noted that the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the declaration attached to Form 6 for the SIR process. Currently, the SIR exercise has been finalized in 20 States and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal.
Political Friction and Internal Objections
The announcement comes amidst rising political tension surrounding the Election Commission's management of the SIR. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has faced criticism from opposition parties following reports suggesting internal disagreements within the Commission.
Reports indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a ten-month span regarding various procedures and decisions related to the SIR and other electoral matters. In response to these concerns, the ECI maintained that the schedules for the SIR—issued for 12 States/UTs in October 2025 and for 19 States/UTs in May 2026—were all passed with the unanimous approval of the Commission.
INDIA Bloc Demands Transparency
The controversy has also spilled into high-level political meetings. During a meeting of the INDIA bloc in the national capital, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge voiced strong opposition to the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Kharge called for an immediate rollback of the SIR and demanded greater accountability and transparency within the Election Commission.
Addressing the coalition, Kharge emphasized the core tenets of Indian democracy, stating:
"India’s democratic system was built on the principle of 'one person, one vote, one value.' Today, that principle is facing a serious threat. Across the country, citizens and political parties are raising grave concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission."
The opposition's stance centers on the belief that the current electoral roll processes may undermine the fundamental rights of voters, asserting that the ultimate authority over the ballot belongs to the people.