Supreme Court Assures Voters Against Prosecution for Form 6 Submissions Post Electoral Roll Deletion

In a significant development for voters in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court has provided verbal assurance that individuals submitting Form 6 to restore their names on the electoral roll will not face legal repercussions. This ruling comes in the context of concerns raised regarding the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls, during which a considerable number of voters found their names deleted.

Form 6 is specifically designed for new voters who wish to register themselves. It requires an applicant to certify that they have neither previously registered nor participated in voting. This assurance from the Supreme Court emerged while hearing a petition that challenged the recent revision of voter rolls in Maharashtra, where it was reported that nearly three crore voters out of an approximate nine crore had been removed from the electoral list.

The petitioner’s advocate had expressed concerns about the potential consequences of submitting Form 6, particularly the risk of prosecution for existing voters misrepresenting themselves as first-time registrants. The advocate highlighted that such misrepresentation is considered an offense under electoral law. However, Chief Justice Surya Kant reassured that there would be no legal actions taken against voters submitting Form 6 under the current circumstances.

Moreover, the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to respond to the situation but opted not to issue an interim order that might extend the deadline for filing claims and objections regarding the electoral roll. The court’s decision indicates a balanced approach, emphasizing the need for fair practices while also addressing the urgent need for clarity among voters impacted by the revision.

In a bid to facilitate the process for those whose names have been deleted, the petitioner’s legal representative has suggested that a distinct form be introduced specifically for these voters instead of requiring them to utilize Form 6. This recommendation aims to streamline the reinstatement process and minimize confusion among the electorate.

Source: scroll.in