ECI's Form 6 contradictions must face SC scrutiny: Udit Raj
Synopsis
Congress leader Udit Raj has thrown down a direct challenge to the Supreme Court: act on the Election Commission's contradictory claims about Form 6 or have its own credibility questioned. With the court set to hear petitions against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR exercise on the same day, Tuesday's hearing could become a defining moment for judicial oversight of India's electoral machinery.
Key Takeaways
Congress leader Udit Raj on 27 October 2026 alleged the ECI made two contradictory statements on Form 6 changes before the Supreme Court.
Raj demanded the immediate suspension of all three Election Commissioners , arguing the authority to amend Form 6 rests with Parliament .
The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to hear petitions seeking an SIT probe against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar .
The court is also hearing petitions filed by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders on the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The ECI had previously received notice from the Supreme Court in connection with the batch of petitions.
Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday, 27 October called out the Election Commission of India (ECI) for allegedly making contradictory statements about changes to Form 6 — the document used to register names in electoral rolls — and warned that the Supreme Court's credibility, impartiality and integrity would be on the line if it failed to act decisively.
The Contradictions Raj Flagged
Raj alleged that the Election Commission had first claimed its changes to Form 6 had the Supreme Court's concurrence — a claim the court later denied. Subsequently, in an affidavit filed the previous day, the ECI stated that no changes had been made to Form 6 at all. Raj argued these two positions were irreconcilable and already on record before the court.
'These two statements are contradictory,' Raj said. 'The Election Commission's lie has been caught,' he alleged.
Demand for Suspension of Election Commissioners
Raj went further, demanding the immediate suspension of all three Election Commissioners. He argued that even a unanimous internal decision could not legalise an unlawful act, and that the authority to amend Form 6 rests exclusively with Parliament — not the ECI.
'Even if all three commissioners were united, that would not be an explanation. Can you act against the law simply because everyone agrees?' he said.
What the Supreme Court Is Hearing
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a batch of petitions challenging the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against him and questioning the legality of the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The bench is headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprises Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana.
On the previous date of hearing, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the ECI in connection with these petitions. The court is also scheduled to hear petitions filed by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders on related issues concerning the electoral roll revision exercise.
Broader Political Context
The proceedings assume significance amid a widening political debate over the SIR exercise and broader allegations concerning the Election Commission's functioning. Opposition parties have for weeks been raising concerns about the integrity of the voter roll revision process, arguing it disproportionately affects certain communities. The Supreme Court's response to the ECI's affidavit is likely to set the tone for how the judicial oversight of electoral administration evolves in the months ahead.
Point of View
But the underlying legal question is not: if the ECI's own affidavits are mutually exclusive, the court will have to decide which version of events is true — and that is squarely a judicial function. What is striking is that the contradiction Raj flags is not based on leaked documents or opposition allegations; it is allegedly on the record before the Supreme Court itself. The SIR exercise has already drawn scrutiny for its scope and pace. If the court finds that Form 6 was altered without proper authority, the implications for the legitimacy of recently revised electoral rolls could be far-reaching and politically explosive.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the controversy over Form 6 and the Election Commission?
Form 6 is the official document used to include names in electoral rolls. Congress leader Udit Raj has alleged that the Election Commission of India made two mutually contradictory statements about changes to Form 6 — first claiming the Supreme Court had concurred with those changes, then filing an affidavit stating no changes were made at all. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions related to this issue on 27 October 2026.
Why is Udit Raj demanding suspension of Election Commissioners?
Udit Raj argues that the Election Commission lacks the legal authority to amend Form 6, which he says rests exclusively with Parliament. He contends that the contradictory statements amount to misleading the Supreme Court, and that no internal consensus among commissioners can legalise an unlawful act.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision is a nationwide exercise initiated by the Election Commission to update and revise voter rolls. Opposition parties have challenged its legality and scope before the Supreme Court, alleging it could be used to arbitrarily add or remove voter names.
Who is hearing the petitions in the Supreme Court?
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, is hearing the batch of petitions on 27 October. The petitions challenge the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and seek an SIT probe against him.
What is Rahul Gandhi's role in the Supreme Court proceedings?
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has filed petitions in the Supreme Court raising concerns similar to those of other Opposition leaders — primarily around the legality of the Special Intensive Revision exercise and the Election Commission's functioning. These petitions are being heard alongside the broader batch on 27 October.
