Congress Demands CEC's Resignation Over 'Illegal' Voter Form Changes!
Congress Demands CEC's Resignation Over 'Illegal' Voter Form Changes!
A major political row erupts as Congress accuses Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of violating law with 'unilateral' Form 6 changes, urging Supreme Court intervention. Find out what's sparking this electoral con
The Congress party has escalated its attack on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of knowingly breaking the law and Constitutional practices by "unilaterally" changing Form 6 for voter registration. The party is now calling on the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and hold him accountable. This comes as Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that Mr.
Kumar's continued tenure is an affront to the people of India and that he must resign, a suggestion previously made by Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The heart of the controversy lies in a new mandatory section added to Form 6, which asks whether the applicant's parents or grandparents were included in the previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
According to Congress, this change creates a significant barrier for first-time Gen Z voters and is a blatant violation of electoral norms. Mr. Ramesh detailed three key violations: first, the online form was stealthily changed in early July 2026 without any official notification; second, the Election Commission (ECI) does not possess the power to amend Form 6, as this authority rests solely with the Union Government under the Representation Of The People Act, 1950; and third, the form was altered without any amendment to the Rules that govern it under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, which requires Union Government action and parliamentary intimation.
Congress leaders have gone as far as to claim that the CEC is implementing a 'Method Of Disenfranchising Indians (MODI)'.
Mr. Ramesh also asserted that two other election commissioners had reportedly called for this "illegal and unauthorised" change to be reversed to ensure young and first-time voters can register without harassment. Protests have erupted, with the Dakshina Kannada Congress planning a rally and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K.
Shivakumar backing calls for the CEC's resignation.
Despite the strong accusations, poll panel officials defended their actions on Friday, September 25, 2026.
They clarified that the declaration was added through instructions and that Form 6 itself has not been formally amended.
They also highlighted that since the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was rolled out in Bihar last June, as many as 2.37 crore electors in the 18-28-year age bracket have been added to the voter lists. However, the Congress maintains that the current setup makes it mandatory for new voters to cite SIR details of parents, even for online applications, hindering the process if the declaration is not filled.
A petition has also been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on SIR in Maharashtra and the restoration of voter names. Jairam Ramesh has urged the Supreme Court to intervene, stating that a "confirmed law-breaker in charge of implementing laws" is a grave concern for Indian democracy. He believes Mr.
Kumar can still "redeem himself by resigning and turning approver," a move that he claims the youth would approve. #CECLawViolation #Form6Controversy #IndianElections #DemocracyWatch
