SIR: 13.3 crore names wiped out of draft voter lists so far, triggering Opposition backlash

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 30, 2026: Around 13.3 crore names have been deleted from draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), according to Election Commission data, with more than 71% of the deletions falling under the categories of voters marked absent, permanently shifted or removed for other reasons.

The figures have intensified criticism from the Congress and other Opposition parties, which have demanded restoration of the deleted names.

An analysis of data from the first two phases and the ongoing third phase shows that around 9.5 crore names, or more than 71% of the total deletions, were categorised as absent, permanently shifted or deleted for other reasons. Around 2.7 crore names were removed citing death, while approximately 1.01 crore were deleted over multiple enrolments.

The key question now is how many voters listed as absent, permanently shifted or deleted under other reasons will be able to return to the final electoral rolls.

During the first two phases, conducted in 13 states and Union Territories, around 7.2 crore names were deleted from the draft rolls. Of these, about 5 crore were categorised as absent, permanently shifted or other reasons, while around 1.6 crore were listed as deceased and approximately 52 lakh were identified as multiple enrolments.

In the ongoing third phase, around 6.1 crore names have been deleted so far. Of these, approximately 4.5 crore fall under the absent, shifted or other categories, while around 1.1 crore were attributed to deaths and 49.6 lakh to multiple enrolments.

Voters whose names have been deleted under the absent, shifted or other categories can seek inclusion again by submitting Form 6. The Electoral Registration Officer can add their names to the rolls if they meet the eligibility requirements.

However, there is currently no consolidated data showing how many voters removed during the SIR have subsequently managed to re-enter the electoral rolls. In the first two phases, around 1.4 crore names were added to the final rolls, but the data does not distinguish between new registrations and voters who were previously deleted and subsequently restored. The final cumulative figures for the third phase are awaited.

The issue has become a major political point of contention. At its Working Committee meeting on Tuesday, the Congress demanded the immediate restoration of the 13.3 crore names deleted during the SIR.

In its resolution, the Congress Working Committee said it was "gravely alarmed" by questions surrounding the constitutional validity of the SIR and alleged that the exercise had resulted in the removal of 13.3 crore names from electoral rolls.

The party argued that shifting the burden onto citizens to establish their eligibility, without what it considers adequate safeguards, raises concerns under Articles 14 and 326 of the Constitution. It called for the deleted names to be restored and the SIR process to be suspended.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the SIR process has legal sanction, while the political dispute over the electoral-roll revision continues.