Voter Roll Update: 2 Crore Added in Phase 2 of Special Intensive Revision

Overview of Voter Inclusion and Purification

NEW DELHI: During Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), over 2 crore voters were successfully included from 12 states and Union Territories (UTs). This initiative reduced net deletions to 5.2 crore, which accounts for 10.2% of a combined electorate of approximately 51 crore, as recorded on October 27, 2025.

Total Deletions and New Voter Registrations

The total deletions across states and UTs during Phase 2 amounted to 7.2 crore. Among these, 2 crore new names were added, which include first-time voters using Form 6 and existing electors updating their addresses via Form 8.

According to the Election Commission (EC), a significant number of voters—over 6.5 crore—were identified as absent, deceased, or double-enrolled and subsequently removed from the electoral rolls. This included voters from regions such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Lakshadweep. Additionally, 63.2 lakh names faced deletions through Form 7 due to objections, particularly in West Bengal, where 27.2 lakh names were removed by judicial officers.

Voter Statistics Post Roll Clean-Up

Current Voter Count

After the comprehensive roll clean-up, there are now 45.8 crore voters recognized across the 12 states and UTs. The elimination of over 6.5 crore previously non-existent voters—those who had not participated in elections—has contributed to a more accurate and reliable electoral roll, potentially mitigating the risks of bogus voting.

Breakdown of Deletions

Of the total deletions, the distribution was as follows:

• 66.9 lakh voters removed due to death
• 1.3 crore removed for multiple enrolments
• 1.3 crore absent from registered addresses
• 3.1 crore who had permanently shifted locations
• 12.7 lakh placed in an ‘others’ category

An EC official noted that the purification of electoral rolls has likely facilitated record high voter turnout in regions such as Assam and Puducherry.

State-wise Purification Rates

The percentage of roll purification varied significantly among the states. Andaman & Nicobar Islands saw the highest purification rate at 16.6%, followed by:

• Uttar Pradesh: 13.2%
• Gujarat: 13.1%
• Chhattisgarh: 11.3%

West Bengal ranked fifth, experiencing significant removals due to both adjudication and objections. Notably, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Goa observed net deletions of 10.9%, 10.6%, and 10.2%, respectively. In contrast, states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Lakshadweep recorded smaller net deletions, ranging from 0.3% to 5.7%.

Notable Additions to the Voter Rolls

Among the 2 crore newly added names, Uttar Pradesh led with 92.4 lakh new voters, followed by:

• Tamil Nadu: 35 lakh
• Kerala: 20.4 lakh
• Rajasthan: 15.4 lakh
• Madhya Pradesh: 12.9 lakh
• Gujarat: 12.1 lakh

These numbers reflect the ongoing efforts to ensure a more comprehensive and accurate voter registry across India.