New Delhi: Nearly 95 lakh voters have found their names missing from the draft electoral rolls published in three states and one Union Territory following a special revision exercise carried out by the Election Commission of India. The large scale deletion has drawn public attention and political reactions, especially as the process comes ahead of key elections.
According to official data, the deletions were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number, with more than 42 lakh names missing from the draft rolls. Chhattisgarh saw over 27 lakh deletions, while Kerala had around 24 lakh voters removed. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, about 64,000 names did not appear in the updated list.
The removals are part of the Special Intensive Revision process, a periodic exercise aimed at cleaning electoral rolls by removing duplicate entries, names of deceased voters and records of people who have shifted residence without updating their details. Officials said many names were deleted because voters failed to submit required forms or could not be verified during door to door checks.
The Election Commission has clarified that these deletions are not final. Voters whose names are missing can submit claims and objections to seek inclusion. The window for corrections will remain open until January 22, after which the final electoral rolls are expected to be published in February.
The issue has triggered criticism from several political parties, who allege that genuine voters may be unfairly excluded, particularly migrant workers and elderly citizens. They have demanded greater transparency and wider public awareness about the revision process.
Election officials, however, have urged citizens to check the draft rolls and file applications if their names are missing. They stressed that the revision exercise is meant to ensure accurate and up to date voter lists and that eligible voters will not be denied their right to vote if they complete the required formalities within the given time.