‘Not Even a Comma or Full Stop Changed’: EC Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi Over Form-6 Allegations

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that Form-6 was illegally altered during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that not even a comma or full stop was changed in the original form.

The ECI clarified that no modification was made to Form-6, the application used by eligible citizens to seek inclusion in the electoral roll. Instead, an additional declaration was attached to the form as part of the SIR protocol.

According to the Commission, the procedure was introduced during the SIR exercise in Bihar last year. The protocol was subsequently challenged before the Supreme Court, which, after hearing the matter, upheld the Commission’s authority to implement the process.

The ECI also fact-checked a post by Rahul Gandhi, describing his claim about the alleged alteration of Form-6 as misleading and incorrect.

The Commission said its June 24, 2025, order for the Bihar SIR was issued with the unanimous approval of the Election Commission. It further pointed to the Supreme Court’s May 27, 2026, verdict, which it said upheld the relevant SIR protocol.

In its Press Note No. 120 dated September 26, 2026, the ECI stated that the declaration attached to Form-6 for the SIR had been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Rahul Gandhi’s allegation

Following the Supreme Court proceedings, Rahul Gandhi alleged that it had been established that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had “illegally and unilaterally altered” Form-6. He accused the Election Commission of misusing its authority to benefit the BJP and said those responsible would be held accountable.

What did the Supreme Court say?

During Monday’s hearing, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana clarified that it had not approved any changes to Form-6.

The bench said, “We have not approved any changes to ‘Form 6’. Let this be clear; when the records are produced, we would like to see who made the changes.”

The court also observed that there could be consequences if anyone was found to have acted illegally.

EC clarifies its position

Following the hearing, the ECI reiterated that Form-6 itself had not been altered. Officials said that a separate declaration was appended to the form in accordance with the Bihar SIR order.

The Commission maintained that the declaration was introduced as part of the SIR process that began in Bihar on June 24, 2025, and that the Supreme Court subsequently upheld the relevant measure in its May 27, 2026, verdict.

The ECI further said that its September 26 press note had already made its position clear, stating that the Supreme Court had upheld the declaration attached to Form-6 for the SIR.

BJP backs Election Commission

BJP leader Vinod Tawde also defended the Commission, saying the Supreme Court had upheld the declaration attached to Form-6 for the SIR.

In a post on X, Tawde said there had been no change to Form-6 itself, but only an additional declaration had been attached. He argued that the restoration of the earlier Form-6 in states outside the SIR exercise demonstrated transparency.

Tawde also hit back at Rahul Gandhi, saying that questions over whether any action was “illegal” would ultimately be decided by the court.