Congress Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Over Form 6 Changes, Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar

On September 26, the Congress party called for the Supreme Court to intervene directly regarding controversial changes made to the voter registration process. They specifically targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he had altered the online version of Form 6 in July. This change added a requirement asking applicants if their parents or grandparents were included in the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh contended that the Election Commission lacked the authority to make such an amendment and that only the Union government could do so under specific statutes. Ramesh claimed that this alteration infringed upon constitutional practices and parliamentary law, demanding immediate action from the Supreme Court.

The move followed the Election Commission's announcement of special enrolment camps aimed at assisting young and first-time voters, a measure Ramesh criticized as a response to the new requirement. The controversy gained additional traction as other Election Commissioners expressed concerns about the SIR exercise and the Form 6 changes.

The Congress party argued that these modifications were introduced without proper notification or formal amendment to the Registration of Electors Rules. The dispute has escalated to a legal level, with a petition filed challenging the unilateral decisions taken by the Election Commission, including those related to Form 6. Congress maintains that the additional requirement on the ECINet portal poses a significant hurdle for young voters, emphasizing the need for Kumar's resignation.

The situation now encompasses a complex legal battle concerning the decision-making process within the Election Commission and the procedural integrity of the voter registration reforms.