Supreme Court orders removal of unlawful entries in Form 6, raising questions on Election Commission

The apex court ruled that any provisions or clauses added to Form 6 without legal backing must be eliminated. Form 6, which candidates file to disclose criminal, financial and other background details, is a key document in India’s electoral process. The bench emphasized that the form cannot be altered by administrative orders that lack statutory authority. The judgment has sparked debate over the Election Commission of India’s recent amendments to the form, with observers questioning whether the body overstepped its mandate. Legal experts say the decision may compel the commission to revert to the earlier version of the affidavit and could lead to further petitions challenging other procedural changes ahead of upcoming elections.