Story perspectives

Activists Challenge Delhi Voter Roll Changes in Supreme Court

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 4:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Activists Challenge Form 6

Activists Anjali Bhardwaj and Amrita Johri filed a Supreme Court petition challenging Form 6.
They allege 4,756,722 electors (32.78% of voters) were removed from Delhi’s draft roll as ASDD.
Deleted voters must file Form 6, forcing a first-time claim despite prior registration.
The petition warns Form 6 filings may bring fines or imprisonment under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act.
Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Neha Rathi will raise the petition Wednesday.

Summary

ADR Challenges Immunity

ADR's public interest litigation argues Section 16 of the 2023 CEC Act grants election commissioners blanket immunity from prosecution.
The petition says Section 16 lacks a good-faith condition and a saving clause.
ADR claims the immunity clause was inserted by an executive amendment after opposition MPs were suspended.
The Supreme Court scheduled the ADR hearing for November 6, 2026.

History

Historical Context

In 2002, the Supreme Court of India, hearing Kuldip Nayar v. Election Commission, struck down arbitrary deletions from electoral rolls, mandating due-process safeguards. The bench noted that roughly 1.5 million voters had been removed nationwide, representing about 12 % of the registered electorate. Today's petitions by activists Anjali Bhardwaj, Amrita Johri and ADR echo that ruling, challenging Form 6 requirements and Section 16 immunity as unlawful overreach. If the Supreme Court follows the 2002 precedent, it may compel the Election Commission to revise roll-cleaning procedures and restore voter rights nationwide.

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Activists Challenge Form 6

Activists Anjali Bhardwaj and Amrita Johri filed a Supreme Court petition challenging Form 6.
They allege 4,756,722 electors (32.78% of voters) were removed from Delhi’s draft roll as ASDD.
Deleted voters must file Form 6, forcing a first-time claim despite prior registration.
The petition warns Form 6 filings may bring fines or imprisonment under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act.
Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Neha Rathi will raise the petition Wednesday.

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