Voter Roll Revision: 71% Deleted

Introduction to Voter Roll Revision

The special intensive revision (SIR) process has resulted in the deletion of nearly 13.3 crore names from electoral rolls across the country. According to data from the Election Commission (EC), around 9.5 crore, or over 71%, of these deleted names were marked in the ‘absent, shifted, and others’ category.

This category includes voters who may have moved to a different location or are no longer eligible to vote. The remaining deleted names include around 2.7 crore, or just over 20%, who were deleted due to death, and approximately 1.01 crore (7.6%) who were flagged as cases of multiple entry.

Phases of the SIR Process

The SIR process has been conducted in three phases. In the first two phases, which were conducted in Bihar and 12 other States and Union Territories, out of the total 7.2 crore names deleted after the enumeration period, the number of names in the absent, shifted and others category was around 5 crore, the dead were 1.6 crore and cases of multiple entries were around 52 lakh.

In the third phase, the absent, shifted, and others category had 4.5 crore names, while 1.1 crore were found to have died and there were 49.6 lakh cases of multiple entries. The total number deleted in this phase was 6.1 crore.

Return of Deleted Voters

Many of those deleted from the rolls under the absent, shifted, and others category could potentially return to voters’ lists by filling Form 6, which is generally used for fresh voter registrations. The EC has used this form to get people whose names were deleted back into electoral rolls during the SIR.

In Phases 1 and 2, around 1.4 crore voters were added to the rolls in the final list, but there is no cumulative number showing how many were fresh voters and how many were added back after being deleted during the enumeration period. The final cumulative list of Phase 3 is awaited.

Reaction from Civil Society and Opposition

Many from civil society and the Opposition have demanded that the SIR process be scrapped and all the deleted names be added back into the rolls. The Congress, after its CWC meeting on Tuesday (September 29, 2026), demanded that all 13.3 crore names be added back to the voters’ lists.

The party has announced nationwide agitations at state and district levels with INDIA bloc allies. The States and UTs where the SIR Phase 3 is being carried out include Delhi, Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Tripura, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.

States and UTs Covered

The SIR exercise has already been conducted in Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. In Assam, due to the legalities of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a “special revision” was conducted instead of an SIR.

With Phase 3, the exercise covers the entire country except Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Implications for Readers in India

The SIR process has significant implications for readers in India, particularly those who have been deleted from the electoral rolls. It is essential for these individuals to be aware of the process and the options available to them to restore their voting rights.

Read also: Election Commission Protest Gains Momentum

What to Watch Next

As the SIR process continues, it is crucial to monitor the developments and updates from the Election Commission. Readers can expect further announcements and clarifications on the process, including the final cumulative list of Phase 3.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the SIR process has resulted in the deletion of a significant number of voters from electoral rolls. While many of these deleted voters may be eligible to return to the rolls, the process has been met with criticism from civil society and the Opposition.

• The SIR process has been conducted in three phases.
• 71% of deleted voters were marked as absent, shifted, or others.
• The EC has used Form 6 to get people whose names were deleted back into electoral rolls during the SIR.
• The Congress has demanded that all 13.3 crore names be added back to the voters’ lists.

Key figures: 13.3 crore names deleted, 9.5 crore in the absent, shifted, and others category, 2.7 crore deleted due to death, and 1.01 crore flagged as cases of multiple entry.

Expert Perspective

Experts believe that the SIR process is essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral rolls. However, they also emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in the process to ensure that genuine voters are not disenfranchised.

Timeline of the SIR Process

The SIR process has been ongoing, with the first two phases completed and the third phase currently underway. The timeline of the process is as follows:

• Phase 1: Completed in Bihar and 12 other States and Union Territories
• Phase 2: Completed in additional States and Union Territories
• Phase 3: Currently underway in remaining States and Union Territories

The final cumulative list of Phase 3 is expected to be released soon, providing a comprehensive overview of the SIR process and its outcomes.