Daltonganj: Submission and collection of Form 6 applications for inclusion of names in the electoral roll remain slow across Palamu’s five assembly constituencies, a district public relations note said on Thursday evening.Palamu has recorded only 51,781 inclusions till Sept 24 against a target of 1,19,943 for applicants who are already 18 years old or will turn 18 by Oct 1, 2026, leaving more than 68,000 eligible persons outside Form 6 coverage.The shortfall was flagged during a review meeting chaired by district election officer and Palamu DC Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat, attended physically and virtually by electoral registration officers of all five constituencies. Sept 30 is the last date for inclusion of voters’ names in the rolls.Shekhawat expressed concern over the shortfall and directed the five EROs to accelerate submission and collection to achieve a “respectable achievement” before the deadline.Meanwhile, Form 6 has triggered unease over a ‘declaration’ paragraph introduced for the first time. Citizenship has to be supported by birth in India, for which date of birth and proof of residence are required.Proof of birth may include a certificate from a school, state education board, municipal corporation or registrar of births and deaths. Where unavailable, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence or passport may be used. Residence proof includes village or town, post office, house number, street name, PIN code, one-year-old water, electricity or gas connection, recent bank or post office passbook, land records or sale deed. Applicants must also name enrolled family members and declare that this is their first inclusion in any assembly or parliamentary constituency. Many Gen Z applicants call the process officious and wearisome.Rohit Kumar Jaiswal, a 19-year-old Daltonganj resident who has not applied, said, “It is a lot of trouble. Why am I being asked to declare that I am a citizen of India? During Operation Sindoor, I prayed for our brave Indian Army. Today, I am being asked for my house number and street name. I am saddened.”ERO Kundan Kumar said, “We are trying hard to rope in more and more eligible freshers. Our target is big too.” Administrative sources said Palamu’s 1,796 booths must average 64 Form 6 applicants each, but many booths are far behind the target.
