EC tells SC no prosecution for voters reapplying through Form 6 (File photo)
The Election Commission (EC) has told the Supreme Court that voters whose names are missing from draft electoral rolls despite having been enrolled earlier can apply afresh through Form 6 without the fear of prosecution.
In an affidavit filed before the court, the poll panel said chief electoral officers have been requested to give wide publicity to the said clarification, in local languages as well.
"It had been brought to the notice of the Commission that some apprehensions were expressed that applicants who were enrolled as voters in previous electoral roll(s) but whose names did not appear in the draft Electoral Roll during the SIR -- by filing Form 6, may face action for prosecution under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, on account of the fact that they were enrolled as voters in the previous electoral roll(s).
"In order to allay such misapprehensions, the Commission ... has clarified that no prosecution will be launched against anyone for filing Form 6 merely on the ground that the applicant/elector was previously enrolled in the electoral roll(s) prior to the SIR and their name did not appear in the draft electoral roll during the SIR, provided that applicant/elector is not already enrolled in any other Parliamentary or Assembly Constituency and the declaration made is otherwise in accordance with law," the affidavit said.