Supreme Court, ECI and Form 6, Constitutional Provisions, Latest News

The Supreme Court, Election Commission of India (ECI) and Form 6 have come into focus following the Court’s recent clarification that it had not approved any modified version of Form 6 used during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. 

Why in News?

On October 5, 2026, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, clarified that the Supreme Court had not approved any modified Form 6.

The Court said it would examine the ECI’s records to determine who introduced the changes to the form. The observation came during the hearing of a petition concerning alleged unilateral decisions relating to the SIR exercise.

What is Form 6?

Form 6 is the prescribed application form used by an eligible citizen for inclusion of their name in the electoral roll.

According to the ECI, a person who is eligible to be registered as a general elector can apply through Form 6 before the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer. The form can also be submitted online through the ECI or the concerned Chief Electoral Officer’s website.

Form 6 is therefore an important instrument for voter registration and electoral participation.

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Role of the Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body responsible for the superintendence, direction and control of elections in India.

Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the ECI has powers relating to:

• Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• Elections to the offices of President and Vice-President.
• Preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Conduct and supervision of elections.
• Recognition of political parties and allocation of election symbols under the relevant laws and rules.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Electoral Rolls

The Constitution provides the legal framework for electoral rolls, voter registration and the conduct of elections through key provisions dealing with the Election Commission, non-discrimination and adult suffrage.

• Article 324: Vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.
• Article 325: Provides for one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency and prohibits exclusion on grounds only of religion, race, caste or sex.
• Article 326: Provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies based on adult suffrage, subject to constitutional and statutory qualifications.
• Article 327: Empowers Parliament to make laws relating to elections, including electoral rolls.
• Article 328: Empowers State Legislatures to make provisions relating to elections to State Legislatures, subject to Parliament’s laws.