The Election Commission of India has reportedly stated that voters whose names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can utilize Form 6 for re-enrolment in electoral rolls. The poll body allegedly assured the public that no punitive action would be taken against individuals using this form for re-inclusion. However, this clarification follows intense scrutiny, as Form 6 inherently requires applicants to declare that they are seeking inclusion for the very first time.

The mandatory declaration previously sparked widespread backlash, with critics arguing that forcing deleted voters to submit such forms effectively compels them to make a false declaration. The opposition Congress Party swiftly dismissed the commission's latest communication, labeling it as "another deceptive word game to cover up a flawed process." Party representatives asserted that no amount of damage control can fix the fundamentally flawed SIR mechanism, which they claim must be halted immediately.

The controversial revision exercise, which has resulted in the deletion of millions of voters nationwide, continues to fuel deep political friction and allegations of electoral manipulation against the ruling authorities. Amid ongoing capital protests and rallies staged by the ruling party across various states, natural disaster has also struck, with Cyclone Murasu claiming two lives and causing severe destruction in Andhra Pradesh.

Source: www.dw.com