The Election Commission of India (ECI) has withdrawn the requirement for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-linked declaration in Form 6, the form used for new voter registration. The order was issued on September 30.

The declaration had asked new applicants to make statements linked to the SIR exercise. Opposition parties had criticised the move, calling it an extra barrier for first-time voters. The Congress and other parties raised the issue strongly in recent weeks.

With the withdrawal, the process of registering as a new voter goes back to its simpler form. Applicants will no longer need to submit the additional declaration that had sparked the row.

The ECI’s move is seen as an attempt to calm the controversy ahead of upcoming elections. Voter registration drives are expected to pick up pace now that the disputed requirement has been dropped. Voter rights groups welcomed the rollback, saying any extra paperwork risks keeping young and migrant voters out of the system.