Election Commission simplifies voter reinstatement procedure for specific jurisdictions following judicial scrutiny

NEW DELHI — Electors categorized as Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate (ASDD) and left off draft electoral rolls can now rejoin the voter lists without filing Form 6 in several jurisdictions, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Under the revised procedure, affected voters in Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana and Nagaland can secure reinstatement by submitting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Enumeration Form alongside a short signed statement. Additionally, voters who have relocated within their state are permitted to file Annexure-C with their new address and valid address proof instead of Form 8.

The administrative adjustment follows scrutiny from the Supreme Court. On October 28, the apex bench—which includes Justice Surya Kant—questioned the ECI regarding why voters whose names had been deleted were required to fill out Form 6, the standard application designated for new, first-time electors, rather than utilising alternative forms such as Form 8, which is meant for modifying or updating existing voter details.

However, the relief is not uniform nationwide. Voters marked as ASDD in states undergoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) Phases 1 and 2 do not have access to the simplified enumeration form route. A senior ECI official stated that the panel currently has no plans to implement a similar drive in those regions.

Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat noted that ongoing confusion surrounding these electors is expected to dissipate once the ECI formally issues notifications regarding the SSR in Phase 1 and Phase 2 states.

The electoral calendar dictates upcoming administrative milestones: the draft roll is scheduled for release on November 12, followed by a window for filing claims and objections running until December 11. Authorities are mandated to dispose of these claims by December 28, with final electoral rolls slated for publication on January 4.