The Election Commission of India has published the draft electoral rolls for Uttar Pradesh following a statewide Special Intensive Revision exercise, deleting 2.89 crore names from the earlier voter list. The large-scale revision marks one of the most significant updates to the electoral database in the State’s history.

According to official data, about 18.70 percent of voters could not be included in the draft list due to reasons such as deaths, permanent migration, or multiple registrations. The number of deletions recorded in Uttar Pradesh is the highest in absolute terms among all States and Union Territories where the Special Intensive Revision has been conducted so far.

What is the Special Intensive Revision

The Special Intensive Revision, commonly referred to as SIR, is a comprehensive exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update electoral rolls. Unlike routine annual revisions, SIR involves door-to-door verification, scrutiny of voter details, and cross-checking of records to ensure accuracy.

The primary objective of the revision is to remove ineligible entries and include eligible voters who may have been left out. Electoral rolls are the foundation of democratic elections, and maintaining their integrity is critical for free and fair polling.

In a large State like Uttar Pradesh, which has the highest population in India, such an exercise involves coordination across thousands of polling booths and administrative units.

Scale of deletions in Uttar Pradesh

The deletion of 2.89 crore names stands out because of its sheer magnitude. Uttar Pradesh, being India’s most populous State, has a vast voter base. Even then, the scale of removal is unprecedented in absolute numbers.

Officials clarified that the deletions were carried out after verification and documentation. The reasons cited for removal include:

• Death of registered voters

• Permanent migration to other States or countries

• Multiple registrations in different constituencies

Such issues are common in large voter databases, particularly in States with high migration rates and population mobility.

Percentage of voters excluded

According to the Election Commission, 18.70 percent of voters could not be included in the draft rolls after the revision process. This percentage reflects the cumulative impact of demographic changes over time.

Urban areas often witness higher migration rates, while rural areas may have delayed reporting of deaths. Both factors contribute to outdated entries in voter lists.

The revision aims to address these inconsistencies before upcoming electoral exercises.

Comparison with other States and Union Territories

While Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of deletions in absolute terms, officials noted that Andaman and Nicobar Islands saw a higher percentage of deletions relative to its total electorate.

However, due to the small population base of the Union Territory, the total number of deletions there is significantly lower compared to Uttar Pradesh.

The comparison highlights how population size affects absolute numbers, whereas percentage figures provide a different perspective on the scale of revision.

Importance of accurate electoral rolls

Accurate voter lists are essential for ensuring that only eligible citizens participate in elections. Duplicate entries, deceased voters, and outdated records can undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The Election Commission periodically conducts revisions to maintain transparency and credibility. Clean electoral rolls help reduce disputes, complaints, and logistical complications during elections.

In recent years, the Commission has also used technology and data integration to improve accuracy. Aadhaar linkage initiatives, digital verification tools, and database cross-checking mechanisms have strengthened the revision process.

Public response and concerns

Large-scale deletions often raise concerns among political parties and civil society groups. Questions may arise about whether genuine voters have been mistakenly removed.

The Election Commission has clarified that the draft electoral rolls are open for public scrutiny. Citizens can check their names and file claims or objections if they believe they have been wrongly excluded.

The process includes a correction window during which affected individuals can submit necessary documents to restore their names.

Political parties typically deploy booth-level agents to verify deletions and ensure that their supporters are not inadvertently removed from the rolls.

Migration and urbanisation factors

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed significant migration, both within India and abroad. Many residents move to other States for employment, education, or business. If voters shift residence permanently and fail to update their registration, duplicate entries may remain in the system.

Similarly, urbanisation has led to frequent changes in residential addresses. Unless voters apply for transfer of constituency, old records may persist.

The Special Intensive Revision seeks to correct such anomalies by verifying physical presence and documentation.

Impact on future elections

The updated draft rolls will serve as the basis for future elections in the State. Clean and updated lists can improve administrative efficiency during polling.

Fewer duplicate or invalid entries mean smoother voter identification and reduced chances of impersonation.

However, ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded remains equally important. The claims and objections phase is therefore crucial in balancing accuracy with inclusiveness.

Administrative effort behind the exercise

Conducting SIR in Uttar Pradesh involves a massive administrative effort. The State has more than 75 districts and thousands of polling stations. Booth Level Officers carry out ground verification, often visiting households multiple times.

Coordination between district election officers, data entry teams, and central monitoring units ensures that updates are recorded accurately.

The revision process also involves public awareness campaigns encouraging citizens to verify their details.

Legal framework

The revision of electoral rolls is governed by the Representation of the People Act and related rules framed by the Election Commission.

The Commission has constitutional authority under Article 324 to supervise and control elections. Maintaining accurate voter rolls is part of this mandate.

Any disputes arising from deletion can be addressed through prescribed legal procedures.

Ensuring transparency

To maintain transparency, the draft rolls have been published publicly. Citizens can access them through designated offices or online platforms.

The Commission has emphasised that deletion is not final until the completion of the claims and objections period.

This ensures that genuine voters have an opportunity to correct errors.

Broader significance

Uttar Pradesh plays a critical role in national politics due to its large representation in Parliament. Ensuring the integrity of its electoral rolls is therefore of national importance.

The large-scale revision reflects the Election Commission’s attempt to strengthen the electoral system ahead of future polls.

At the same time, the magnitude of deletions underscores the challenges of managing voter databases in a State with a population exceeding 20 crore.

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