The Election Commission of India has introduced stricter procedures for the registration of new voters, a move that will require additional documentation and likely subject more applicants to personal hearings. The new system, which became effective on December 16, aims to enhance the accuracy of the electoral rolls but adds steps for citizens seeking to enrol.
Key Changes in the Enrolment Process
Previously, an individual could apply to be added to the voters' list by submitting Form 6, a self-declaration, and a copy of their Aadhaar card. Under the revised framework, applicants must now also fill out and submit Annexure IV. The lower section of this new form is identical to Annexure III, which is used for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
An official from the Election Commission explained that in Annexure IV, the applicant must provide parental linkage details exactly as they appear in the draft SIR list for West Bengal published on December 16, or in the final SIR roll of any other state or Union Territory.
Documentation and Scrutiny Intensified
Alongside the forms, applicants must provide one or more supporting documents from a notified list as proof of identity, date of birth, address, and citizenship. A significant shift is that the poll panel has clarified that Aadhaar will now be considered only as proof of identity, not as a comprehensive document for enrolment. Since 2022 and until this recent change, an Aadhaar card alone was sufficient for inclusion in the voters' list.
The commission has also introduced more triggers for holding hearings, which will increase the number of applicants called to verify their details. Hearings will be mandatory for applicants whose parents are "unmapped"—meaning their names do not appear in the relevant draft or final SIR roll. Additionally, if the SIR forms of an applicant's parents contain logical inconsistencies, the applicant will be summoned for a hearing. These hearings will be conducted by the concerned Election Registration Officer or Additional ERO.
Deadlines and Eligibility
The EC has outlined specific deadlines for the ongoing revision cycle. For an application submitted on or before January 15, 2026, if the applicant successfully clears the hearing by February 7, 2026, their name will be included in the final electoral roll to be published on February 14, 2026. Citizens who will turn 18 years of age on January 1, 2026, are eligible to apply for inclusion.
Following the publication of the draft SIR roll, Booth Level Officers have begun distributing Form 6 for new enrolments and Form 8 for corrections to existing voter details. This procedural tightening reflects the EC's ongoing effort to maintain a clean and verified voter database ahead of future elections.
