Former IAS KBS Sidhu seeks ECI clarification on addition of new mandatory declaration in Form 6 without notified amendment
Babushahi Network
Chandigarh, July 13, 2026: Former IAS KBS Sidhu has sought clarification from Election Commission of India (ECI) on addition of a new mandatory declaration in Form 6 without notified amendment.
In a letter to ECI and Chief Election Officer Punjab, he sought to know whether these amendments have been added on internal instructions rather than a notified amendment to the statutory form ?
He cites rules which govern the matter and said that this matter should be clarified as soon as possible.
Read letter below:
To:
cec@eci.gov.in / ecgk@eci.gov.in (Shri Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner)
ecsss@eci.gov.in (Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Election Commissioner)
ecvj@eci.gov.in (Shri Vivek Joshi, Election Commissioner)
ceo_punjab@eci.gov.in (CEO Punjab)
ceo_chandigarh@eci.gov.in (CEO U.T. Chandigarh)
Cc: complaints@eci.gov.in, nirvachan@eci.gov.in
Subject: Request for Clarification — New Mandatory Declaration Added to Online Form 6 Without Notified Amendment to the Statutory Form
Respected Sir/Madam,
I write to draw the Commission's attention to a development on the ECINET portal: a new declaration has been added to the online Form 6, requiring fresh applicants to state whether they, or a parent or grandparent, were enrolled in the last Special Intensive Revision roll — with the online form reportedly refusing submission until this field is completed. I understand this has been introduced through internal instructions rather than a notified amendment to the statutory form.
The attached formal representation sets out the statutory position under Section 28 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, the limits of the Commission's powers under Article 324 in a field already occupied by Rules, the position of applications filed before this declaration appeared, and four specific requests for clarification and corrective action. I would respectfully request the Commission's early attention to the matter.
I am available at short notice for any clarification the Commission or the CEO's office may require.
Yours respectfully,
Karan Bir Singh Sidhu
IAS (Retd.), 1984 Batch, Punjab Cadre
Former Special Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab