Supreme Court to Examine Allegations of Changes to Voter Registration Form 6

The Supreme Court has taken note of objections raised by petitioners over an Election Commission of India (ECI) press release concerning alleged changes to voter registration Form 6. During the hearing, senior advocates Menaka Guruswamy and Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the ECI’s press release suggested the court had approved the changes, even though no such order had been issued. Guruswamy also referred to the ECI’s affidavit, which she said contained points relevant to the petitioners’ allegations. She raised concerns about how a declaration attached to Form 6 was displayed online, arguing that the presentation could create the impression that the form had been altered. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant said the matter would be examined. The three-judge bench issued notice to the ECI on the petition concerning Form 6 and adjourned the matter.

The petitioners sought time to file a rejoinder to the ECI’s affidavit. When their lawyers requested a week, the Chief Justice asked whether they needed ten days and suggested using the Diwali vacation to prepare their response. The bench said the matter would be taken up further after the petitioners submitted their reply. The court also heard petitions challenging aspects of the ECI’s functioning and alleging arbitrary decisions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Lawyers questioned the process behind the commission’s decisions and sought preservation of relevant file notings, including records relating to consultations and whether decisions were unanimous. According to the report, hearings on the related petitions have been adjourned to November 17. The next hearing is expected to be significant in addressing the allegations and the ECI’s response.