The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the draft electoral roll of Uttar Pradesh following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. As part of this large scale revision, around 2.89 crore voter names have been removed from the state’s electoral list, making it one of the biggest clean up drives in the country’s electoral history.
Key Highlights
- Total voters before revision: Around 15.44 crore
- Voters retained in draft list: Around 12.55 crore
- Total names deleted: Approximately 2.89 crore
- Retention rate: About 81 percent
Reasons for Deletions
According to election officials, the removals were carried out after detailed verification for the following reasons:
- Deceased voters: Over 46 lakh names were removed after confirmation of death.
- Migration: Around 2.17 crore voters were found to have shifted residence permanently.
- Duplicate entries: Nearly 25 lakh names were deleted due to multiple registrations.
The Election Commission stated that the aim of the SIR was to ensure a clean, accurate and up to date voter list, removing ineligible and duplicate entries.
District Wise Impact
Among all districts, Lucknow recorded the highest number of deletions, followed by several other urban and high migration districts. Officials said large cities often show higher deletions due to migration and duplicate registrations.
What Voters Should Do Next
- The draft voter list is now open for public verification.
- Citizens who find their names missing or details incorrect can file claims or objections within the prescribed period.
- After resolving objections, the final electoral roll will be published in March 2026.
Political Reactions
The large scale deletion has triggered political debate, with some parties questioning the process and seeking transparency. The Election Commission, however, has assured that the revision followed due process and that no eligible voter will be denied the right to vote if they submit valid claims.
Conclusion
The removal of 2.89 crore voter names reflects a major effort to strengthen electoral integrity in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have urged voters to verify their names in the draft list to avoid any inconvenience during upcoming elections.
