Opposition Demands Rollback of New EC Form 6 Section, Alleges Unilateral Change
The Opposition on Monday criticised the Election Commission (EC) over a modification in the online version of Form 6, the electors' registration form, accusing the poll body of acting unilaterally and exceeding its constitutional authority.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the online version of Form 6 now includes a new mandatory section that seeks the status of the applicant's parents in relation to the last Summary Revision of the electoral roll. The downloadable version of the form, however, does not contain this provision.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera alleged that the EC had added the section without any prescribed amendment to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Khera said that the poll panel cannot add even a comma to a statutory form on its own. He accused the EC of behaving as if it were not a constitutional body but a personal fiefdom of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Khera further remarked that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was to Modi what the Genie was to Aladdin, implying that he simply carries out the Prime Minister's wishes.
The Opposition has demanded an immediate rollback of the new section, arguing that the change undermines the integrity of the electoral process and violates established procedures. The EC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
The controversy comes amid broader concerns about the independence of the Election Commission, a constitutional body mandated to ensure free and fair elections in India.
