In a significant update to the state's voter database, the draft electoral roll for Rajasthan has been published, revealing the deletion of a substantial number of names. The state's election machinery has undertaken a rigorous revision process, resulting in the removal of nearly 4.2 lakh voter entries from the previous list.
Scale and Scope of the Revision
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for Rajasthan released the updated draft roll on Monday, January 20, 2025. According to the official data, the total number of voters in the current draft stands at 5,26,90,256. This figure represents a net decrease when compared to the final electoral roll published earlier in January 2024, which had 5,30,92,397 voters. The key driver behind this reduction is the deletion of approximately 4.2 lakh (419,141) names identified as ineligible or duplicate.
Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta emphasized that this exercise is a standard part of the continuous electoral roll revision process. The deletions primarily target names of voters who have passed away, those who have relocated permanently outside their constituency, and instances of duplicate registrations. This housekeeping is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the voter list, ensuring it reflects the genuine, eligible electorate.
Additions and Demographic Breakdown
While deletions have drawn attention, the revision process also involves the inclusion of new eligible voters. The draft roll shows the addition of new voters, though the net effect is a decrease due to the higher number of removals. A demographic breakdown reveals that among the total 5.26 crore voters, 2,75,63,439 are male, 2,51,26,433 are female, and 384 are registered under the 'third gender' category.
The process of identifying discrepancies relies heavily on field verification by booth-level officers (BLOs). These officers are tasked with physically verifying entries and reporting any inaccuracies, which are then processed for deletion during the annual summary revision.
Public Scrutiny and Claim Process
The publication of the draft roll marks the beginning of a period reserved for public claims and objections. From January 20, 2025, the roll is open for scrutiny by citizens and political parties. This period is vital for ensuring no legitimate voter is erroneously omitted.
Eligible citizens who have turned 18 on or before January 1, 2025, can now apply for registration. Furthermore, existing voters can file claims for corrections to their details or objections against any entry they believe is faulty. The entire process is designed to be transparent and participatory, allowing for corrections before the final list is certified.
Officials have outlined the following steps for the public:
- Review the draft roll online or at designated voter facilitation centers.
- File Form 6 for new voter registration.
- File Form 7 for objection to an entry or deletion of a name.
- File Forms 8 or 8A for corrections in details or transposition within a constituency.
The deadline for submitting these forms is February 9, 2025. Following this, hearings on the claims and objections will be conducted until February 19, with the final, certified electoral roll scheduled for publication on March 15, 2025.
Political and Electoral Implications
The release of the draft roll is a critical procedural milestone in Rajasthan's electoral calendar. An accurate voter list is the bedrock of free and fair elections. Large-scale deletions, while routine, often attract political scrutiny, as parties assess the potential impact on their voter bases in different constituencies.
CEO Praveen Gupta has assured that the process is purely administrative and non-partisan, aimed solely at cleaning the database. The state election machinery's focus is now on encouraging maximum public participation in the claims and objections period to ensure every eligible citizen is enrolled correctly.
As the state moves towards the final publication in March, the updated roll will form the basis for any future elections, including the crucial upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The exercise underscores the ongoing effort to maintain a clean, credible, and current electoral register in one of India's largest states.
