EC Under Fire: Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Illegal' Changes to Voter Form 6

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has ignited a fresh political storm, accusing the Election Commission (EC) of allowing "illegal" changes to the online Form 6, used for fresh voter registration. Gandhi publicly questioned who within the EC instructed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to implement these modifications, hinting at potential pressure on the IT giant.

The controversy deepened with Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleging that the changes to Form 6 were orchestrated by "the PM-HM duo", a direct reference to the Prime Minister and Home Minister, with the intention of removing Gen Z voters from the electoral roll. Ramesh emphasized that a growing chorus of voices is speaking out against what he termed the "capture of the electoral system," referencing an interview by former Chief Election Commissioner O.P.

Rawat to The Hindu, where Rawat himself expressed concern over the credibility of the EC.

At the heart of the issue is ERONet 2.0, a web-based application developed by TCS in collaboration with the EC, as highlighted in TCS's 2024-25 annual report. This system replaced the earlier ERONet managed by C-DAC and is designed to centralize electoral data, offering a 360-degree view of elector lifecycles.

TCS proudly stated its role in giving electoral roll management a "digital makeover," enabling over 1.05 million officials nationwide to handle registrations, updates, and deletions efficiently. However, the Congress alleges that the declaration section of Form 6 was unconstitutionally altered mid-July 2026, specifically impacting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Former CEC O.P. Rawat has been particularly vocal, questioning the SIR process and its alleged violations. He claimed that nearly 14 crore voters have already been disenfranchised by the SIR, stating it's "the first time since Independence that so many eligible voters have lost their vote." Rawat lamented the decline in the EC's credibility, once considered "the gold standard."

Adding another layer to the allegations, the Congress pointed to financial connections. According to contribution reports for 2024-25, the BJP received a substantial ₹959 crore in political donations from electoral trusts, with nearly ₹757 crore (83%) originating from the Tata Group-controlled Progressive Electoral Trust (PET).

While not directly linking this to the Form 6 issue, the Congress's reference to it subtly implies a potential nexus.

This unfolding saga, coming just a day after the INDIA bloc announced joint "save democracy" marches, underscores significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Citizens are increasingly demanding accountability and transparency from institutions vital to democracy, with calls for the Supreme Court to intervene getting louder. The question remains: who ordered the changes to Form 6, and what was the true intent behind them?

The nation awaits answers.

#VoterRights #ElectionCommission #RahulGandhi #Form6Scandal