If you are registering as a new voter, there has been an important change to the online Form 6 process.
On 30 September 2026, the Election Commission of India removed the additional SIR-related declaration from the online Form 6 process in states and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has been completed. The Election Commission has also clarified that the additional declaration is not required in states/UTs where SIR is yet to begin. It continues to apply in areas where the SIR exercise is currently underway. NDTV
For applicants in places where the additional declaration has been removed, the application now follows the statutory Form 6 prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Rediff
What Changed on 30 September?
The change concerns an additional declaration that had been attached to the online Form 6 during SIR-related processing.
That declaration asked a new applicant to provide information about whether they, or their parents or grandparents, had appeared in an earlier electoral roll prepared during a previous intensive revision. Where applicable, applicants were also asked for details such as the relevant booth and serial number. Moneycontrol
The Election Commission has now removed this additional declaration from the online application in areas where SIR has concluded.
This does not mean that voter registration has been cancelled, suspended or fundamentally changed. The regular Form 6 remains the statutory application used by eligible citizens seeking inclusion in the electoral roll. Voter ECI
What Does a New Voter Fill Now?
The current official Form 6 continues to ask for the information required to establish your eligibility and ordinary residence.
You will generally need to provide:
- Your name
- Name in the official language of the state
- Name in English
- Name of a relative
- Mobile number, if available
- Email ID, if available
- Aadhaar details or the option stating that you do not have Aadhaar
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Proof of age/date of birth
- Present ordinary residence
- Proof of residence
- Family member already enrolled at the same address, where applicable
- Optional disability information
- The statutory declaration at the end of Form 6
These fields are contained in the current Form 6 published by the Election Commission. Voter ECI
You Still Have to Make the Normal Form 6 Declaration
The removal of the additional SIR declaration does not mean that Form 6 has no declaration.
The regular statutory declaration remains part of Form 6.
Under that declaration, the applicant confirms, among other things, that they:
- Are a citizen of India
- State their place of birth
- Are ordinarily resident at the address provided
- Are applying for inclusion for the first time
- Are not already included in another Assembly or Parliamentary constituency
The form also contains a warning about making false statements. Voter ECI
So there are two different things to distinguish:
Regular Form 6 declaration: Still part of the application.
Additional SIR-linked declaration: Removed from the online process in states/UTs where SIR has concluded, and not required where SIR has yet to begin. Public Tv English
What Documents Does Form 6 Require?
For proof of date of birth, the current Form 6 lists documents including:
- Birth certificate
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Driving licence
- Class X or XII certificate containing date of birth
- Indian passport
The form also allows another document to be specified if none of the listed documents is available. Voter ECI
For proof of residence, the listed documents include:
- Water, electricity or gas connection bill
- Aadhaar card
- Current passbook of a nationalised/scheduled bank or post office
- Indian passport
- Revenue Department land records
- Registered rent/lease deed
- Registered sale deed
The form also provides for another residence document where none of the listed documents is available. Voter ECI
What If You Don't Have Aadhaar?
Aadhaar is included in Form 6, but the form provides an option for an applicant who is unable to furnish an Aadhaar number because they do not have one. Voter ECI
So a new voter should not assume that having no Aadhaar automatically prevents Form 6 registration.
You should instead provide the other information and supporting documents required by the form and the Electoral Registration Officer.
What If You Don't Have One of the Listed Documents?
The current Form 6 provides an option to specify another document if you do not have one of the listed documents for proof of age or residence. Voter ECI
For residence proof, the form notes that where none of the listed documents is available, field verification is required. It specifically gives the example of otherwise eligible homeless Indian citizens who may not have documentary proof of ordinary residence. Voter ECI
That means lack of one particular document does not automatically mean that an applicant should abandon the registration process.
What About the Previous SIR Declaration?
If you saw news or instructions about a declaration asking for the applicant's or parents' or grandparents' connection to an earlier SIR electoral roll, that was an additional SIR-related requirement, not a replacement for the statutory Form 6 itself. Moneycontrol
The Election Commission's September 2026 clarification says that this additional declaration was used in states/UTs where SIR was being conducted under the relevant SIR orders. Public Tv English
The current online process therefore depends on where you live and whether SIR is completed, ongoing or yet to begin.
Is the Change the Same in Every State?
No.
This is the most important point for new applicants.
The additional SIR declaration has been removed where the SIR process has been completed. The Election Commission has also said that it will not be required in states/UTs where SIR has yet to start. However, it remains part of the process in areas where SIR is currently underway. NDTV
Therefore, do not rely on a screenshot of someone else's Form 6.
The fields displayed to you can depend on the SIR status applicable to your state or Union Territory.
How to Apply for a New Voter Registration
The ECI's Voters' Services Portal provides an online New Voter Registration service for people who are 18 or above, or who will turn 18 within the applicable period. Voter ECI
The basic process is:
1. Open the official Voters' Services Portal
Use the Election Commission's official voter-services website rather than an unofficial registration website.
2. Select Form 6
Choose New Voter Registration and start the Form 6 application.
3. Enter your personal details
Provide your name, relative's details, contact information, gender and date of birth.
4. Enter your ordinary residence
Provide your complete current residential address and the required residence information.
5. Upload supporting documents
Provide the applicable age/date-of-birth and residence documents.
6. Complete the declaration
Read the statutory declaration carefully and confirm that the information you have provided is correct.
7. Submit and save the acknowledgement number
The official Form 6 includes an acknowledgement section with an acknowledgement number that can be used to check the status of the application. Voter ECI
Check Your Application After Submission
Do not assume that submitting Form 6 means your name has immediately been added to the electoral roll.
Keep the acknowledgement/reference number and use the official voter-services facilities to check the application status.
The ECI's Voters' Services Portal provides voter-registration and application-status services. Election Commission of India
Your name becomes relevant for voting only once it is included in the electoral roll applicable to your constituency.
What If You Are Already 18?
If you are already eligible to register as a voter and your name is not currently included in the electoral roll, Form 6 is the standard application route for new registration. The ECI describes Form 6 as the application for inclusion of a new voter's name in the electoral roll. Voter ECI
Before submitting a fresh application, however, it is sensible to search the electoral roll first. This helps avoid submitting a duplicate application when your name may already be registered.
What If You Have Moved From Another Constituency?
Form 6 is intended for new inclusion in the electoral roll. If you are already registered elsewhere and have shifted residence, use the applicable service for shifting/correction rather than treating yourself as a first-time elector.
The statutory Form 6 declaration specifically requires a first-time applicant to state that their name is not already included in an Assembly or Parliamentary constituency. Voter ECI
This distinction is important for people who move between cities or states.
New Voter Checklist After the 30 September Change
Before submitting Form 6, keep these ready:
- Age: Check that you meet the applicable eligibility requirement.
- Name: Enter your name consistently in the required languages.
- Relative: Keep the required relative's details ready.
- Aadhaar: Provide the number if applicable, or select the relevant option if you do not have Aadhaar.
- Date of birth: Keep accepted age proof ready.
- Address: Enter your current ordinary residence accurately.
- Residence proof: Keep an accepted document ready.
- Existing registration: Make sure you are not already registered elsewhere.
- Declaration: Read the statutory declaration before submitting.
- Acknowledgement: Save the application/reference number after submission.
One Important Point for SIR-Affected States
If you are applying in a state where SIR is currently underway, don't assume the additional declaration has disappeared everywhere.
The ECI's current voter-services portal still displays separate SIR-related options, and reporting on the 30 September change confirms that the additional declaration remains in states and Union Territories where the SIR exercise is ongoing. Voter ECI
Check the Form 6 application actually displayed for your location before submitting it.
The Bottom Line
The 30 September 2026 change removes the additional SIR-linked declaration from the new-voter process in states and Union Territories where SIR has been completed, while the ECI says it is also not required where SIR has yet to begin. It remains applicable where the SIR exercise is underway. NDTV
For applicants in the affected non-SIR period, the application goes back to the statutory Form 6 prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Rediff
The practical takeaway is simple: fill the Form 6 shown on the official ECI voter portal for your location, provide the required age and residence documents, complete the regular statutory declaration, and save your acknowledgement number.