Uttar Pradesh Releases Draft Electoral Roll After Major Revision

In a major update to its electoral database, Uttar Pradesh has published the draft electoral rolls following the conclusion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a massive exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to update and clean voter lists before major elections. This release marks a critical milestone in India’s democratic process, especially in the country’s most populous state.

The urban regions are likely to see a majority of the potential deletions. (FILE PHOTO) | Hindustan Times

A Historic Cleanup of Voter Lists

The draft electoral roll made public on January 6 shows a significant reduction in the number of registered voters compared with the previous list. Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, confirmed that out of the 15.44 crore voters registered before the SIR process began, only 12.55 crore names were retained in the new draft — meaning around 2.89 crore names (nearly 18.7%) were removed.

These deletions represent one of the largest adjustments ever made in the state’s electoral history. Authorities attribute the removal of names to multiple factors: voters who have passed away, those who have relocated permanently, and instances of duplicate registration where the same individual appeared in more than one constituency.

The scale of the revision highlights the ECI’s drive to ensure the electoral rolls accurately reflect the current eligible voter base, removing outdated or ineligible entries that could compromise the integrity of future elections.

The SIR Process and Its Implementation

The Special Intensive Revision is a more exhaustive form of voter list updating than routine annual updates. Instead of relying on citizens to voluntarily update their details, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducted door‑to‑door enumeration across the state, distributing and collecting verification forms from every household.

Although the exercise was initially scheduled to conclude earlier, the deadline was extended twice because officials found a disproportionately large number of uncollected or questionable entries. Ultimately, the enumeration phase extended to December 26, 2025, ensuring thorough verification before compiling the draft list.

The revised draft list is not the final version. Following its release, there is an established window for claims and objections from January 6 to February 6, 2026 during which individuals can challenge deletions or incorrect details. The process includes opportunities for voters to submit evidence or reapply if their names have been mistakenly omitted.

Once these claims are addressed, the final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on March 6, 2026.

Public Response and Political Reactions

The SIR process and the resulting draft list have drawn substantial public and political attention. Many citizens are actively checking their names on the ECI website to verify their details, underscoring the importance of electoral participation and awareness.

Political parties have also responded strongly. The Samajwadi Party’s leadership criticized the revision, framing it as an attempt to disenfranchise voters and divert attention from governance issues. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Party has established local committees to monitor deleted names and assist affected voters in lodging claims or objections.

In some districts, such as Mahoaba, reports surfaced of large numbers of voters including two sitting village heads being omitted from the draft list, prompting concerns about administrative oversight and the accuracy of the exercise.

Broader Implications for Indian Democracy

The voter list revision in Uttar Pradesh is part of a nationwide effort by the Election Commission under the SIR framework, which aims to enforce cleaner and more accurate electoral rolls ahead of pivotal elections. Similar exercises in other states have also seen significant deletions, underscoring a broader commitment to electoral integrity.

Accurate voter lists are fundamental to democratic governance, ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise their constitutional right to vote while preventing fraud or duplication. As Uttar Pradesh’s draft rolls undergo the claims and objections phase, the coming weeks will be crucial in finalizing a list that truly reflects the state’s electorate.

The MGMM Outlook

Uttar Pradesh has taken a major step in strengthening the integrity of its electoral process with the release of the draft electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This extensive exercise, conducted by the Election Commission of India, has resulted in the removal of nearly 2.89 crore names, reducing the total registered voters from 15.44 crore to 12.55 crore. The deletions reflect a combination of factors, including deceased voters, individuals who have permanently relocated, and duplicate entries across constituencies. The scale of this revision underscores a commitment to ensuring that electoral rolls accurately reflect the current eligible population, addressing outdated or ineligible entries that could compromise the fairness of upcoming elections. Door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers made the process exhaustive, emphasizing thoroughness over convenience, and extending the timeline to ensure that even hard-to-reach households were accounted for.

The draft list now enters a critical phase where citizens have until February 6, 2026, to submit claims and objections, allowing for corrections and reinstatements where necessary. Political parties and local communities are closely monitoring deletions, with some districts reporting notable omissions, including elected village heads, raising questions about administrative accuracy. This exercise is part of a broader nationwide effort by the Election Commission to clean electoral rolls ahead of pivotal elections, reflecting an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ voting rights. As Uttar Pradesh moves toward the final roll publication in March, the process highlights the balance between rigorous verification and ensuring that all eligible voters are included in the democratic process.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, India Today, NDTV)