The Election Commission of India (ECI) unveiled the preliminary voter list for Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, revealing a significant reduction in the number of electors following a rigorous verification drive. The draft roll, a result of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, now contains 12.55 crore voters, down sharply from the previous count.
Massive Deletions Propel UP to Top of the List
The scale of revision in Uttar Pradesh is unprecedented. Compared to the October 2025 electoral roll which had 15.44 crore voters, the new draft has seen the removal of a staggering 2.89 crore names. This places Uttar Pradesh at the forefront of voter list deletions, surpassing other major states that have undergone similar scrutiny.
Before UP, Tamil Nadu led the tally with approximately 97 lakh deletions. Other states have also witnessed substantial cuts:
- Gujarat: 73.73 lakh names (14.5% of 5.08 crore electors) removed.
- West Bengal: 58 lakh names removed from its draft list.
- Rajasthan: 44 lakh voters taken off the rolls.
The SIR process in Uttar Pradesh commenced on 4 November. The draft roll's publication was initially scheduled for 31 December but was delayed by the Election Commission.
The Special Intensive Revision Process Explained
The Election Commission announced the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls on 24 June. This stringent process mandates that all registered voters submit enumeration forms. Furthermore, specific categories of electors are required to provide additional documentation to prove their eligibility to remain on the list.
The exercise was first rolled out in Bihar in June, resulting in the removal of about 47 lakh voters (6% of the total). Subsequently, the poll panel initiated the SIR in 12 states and Union Territories on 27 October.
Draft rolls for West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry were published on 16 December, collectively showing deletions exceeding 1 crore voters.
Road to the Final Electoral Roll
The release of the draft roll is a crucial intermediate step, allowing for claims and objections from the public. The final electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh will be published on 6 March. This finalized list will form the bedrock for future elections in the politically pivotal state, potentially altering the electoral landscape.
The extensive cleanup drive underscores the Election Commission's focus on ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the voter database by weeding out duplicate, ineligible, or deceased voters. The final numbers will be closely watched by all political stakeholders as they prepare their strategies.
