A long queue of people was observed at the Gram Panchayat office, attempting to have their names reinstated in the electoral roll by filing online appeals with the tribunal, their names had been removed from the list through a judicial order. (Source: Express Archives)Voters in Uttar Pradesh whose names figured in the electoral roll before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 but are missing from the current voter list can apply for inclusion through Form 6 without fear of legal action, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said on Tuesday.The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that such applicants will not face action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, for making a false declaration merely because they were registered as voters earlier.The clarification comes amid concerns among previously registered voters over the declaration in Form 6, which is meant for first-time inclusion in the electoral rolls. The Commission has said the voters whose names were included in the electoral rolls before the 2026 SIR but are missing from the current list can submit the form through the prescribed procedure.Rinwa said the Commission’s directions have been communicated to all district election officers (DEOs) in the state. They have been instructed to bring the guidelines to the notice of electoral registration officers (EROs), assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) and other officials concerned, besides ensuring their wide publicity through available communication channels.The exemption, however, is subject to certain conditions. The applicant’s name must not be registered already in the electoral roll of another Assembly constituency, and the declaration made in Form 6 must otherwise comply with the law.The CEO appealed to all eligible citizens to check their names in the current electoral rolls. Those who were registered earlier but find their names missing from the latest list should apply for inclusion through Form 6 without apprehension.The clarification is aimed at addressing concerns over the Form 6 declaration and ensuring that eligible voters do not hesitate to seek inclusion in the electoral roll.