EC Adds SIR Declaration for New Voter Registration

The Election Commission of India has added a declaration on the online Form 6 for new voter registration. The applicant must state whether their name, or the name of a parent or grandparent, appeared in the last Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Form 6 and Electoral Roll Registration

Form 6 is the statutory application used for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The online version on the ECINET portal now places the new declaration between Parts J and K. The declaration asks the applicant to choose one of three factual positions. The applicant may state that their own name was in the last Special Intensive Revision, that a parent’s or grandparent’s name was in it, or that none of these names was listed.

Special Intensive Revision in Electoral Administration

Special Intensive Revision is a field-based exercise for verification and updating of electoral rolls. It is used to identify duplicate entries, deceased electors, shifted electors, absent electors, and foreign electors. Where an applicant or a family member was listed in the last Special Intensive Revision, the online form requires details such as the Assembly constituency number, polling booth number or part number, and serial number. These details are used for family-based mapping and roll verification.

States, Union Territories and Assam Context

The requirement applies to applicants in states and union territories where the Special Intensive Revision has concluded or is underway. Bihar and Assam are excluded from the current application of this requirement. In Assam, the Special Intensive Revision remains on hold pending completion of the National Register of Citizens exercise. The National Register of Citizens is a citizenship-related register prepared under a separate administrative process in Assam.

Important Facts for Exams

• Form 6 is the standard application form for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll in India.
• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body under Article 324 of the Constitution of India.
• Electoral rolls are prepared and revised under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• The National Register of Citizens is associated with Assam and is distinct from electoral roll revision.

Verification and Roll Maintenance

The declaration is linked to verification of family linkage in electoral records. The process also supports the removal of duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent, and foreign electors from the rolls.