CHENNAI: With more than 97 lakh voters removed from the electoral rolls and many first-time voters seeking to enrol, applicants submitting Form 6 for inclusion of their names are now facing a fresh challenge due to a mandatory declaration form that requires details of their parents’ or relatives’ enrolment during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 2002 or 2005.

When filing Form 6, the declaration form must be submitted along with it. Providing incorrect information may lead to imprisonment for up to one year and/or a fine. The declaration form clearly states that furnishing false details is a punishable offence under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Following the enumeration exercise, 97.37 lakh voters were removed from the electoral rolls. As per the draft roll, the State now has a total of 5.43 crore voters. Unfilled and submitted SIR forms were accepted earlier, resulting in the inclusion of several names in the draft roll. However, even if the names are listed, applicants must still produce any one of the 13 identity documents prescribed by the Election Commission of India.

One of the accepted identity proofs is the Permanent Residence Certificate issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management. A circular from department secretary P Amutha stated that the certificate would be issued free of cost during the SIR period, although it normally costs Rs 60.

An election official said, “When people submit Form 6 for name inclusion, they must furnish the declaration form. If it is not attached, Form 6 will not be accepted.”

The mandatory declaration is not new and closely resembles the enumeration form used during the recently concluded SIR exercise. Both forms seek details of the elector from the 2002 revision or details of relatives along with their Assembly constituency information from the same period. Both are available on the Election Department’s website.