The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a petition filed by Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen challenging the ECI’s functioning over alleged changes to Form 6, the application used for voter registration, during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the matter. The petition raises concerns over alleged changes to the online version of Form 6 and the Election Commission’s subsequent press note suggesting that the Supreme Court had authorised or upheld the changes during the Bihar SIR proceedings.
Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy argued that the Election Commission had gone beyond the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Bihar SIR case. The Court had not authorised the alleged changes to Form 6, counsel submitted, adding that the issue warranted consideration alongside the other pending petitions concerning the challenge to SIR process.
Counsel appearing for the ECI sought ten days to file a rejoinder. The court granted them time to file their reply. The bench agreed to issue notice and indicated that the petition would be heard along with the connected matters.
The controversy stems from allegations that an additional declaration was introduced alongside the online Form 6 during the SIR exercise, requiring applicants to establish a link with earlier electoral rolls. The Election Commission has stated that Form 6 itself was not amended and that the declaration was a separate document introduced to facilitate the verification process. It has also defended its decision-making process, stating that the relevant SIR decisions were taken unanimously.
The Supreme Court had earlier clarified that it had neither approved nor disapproved the revised Form 6 and had not adjudicated on its validity.
The petition will be heard along with the connected matters concerning the Election Commission and the ongoing challenges to the SIR process.