8% of voters removed from poll rolls after SIR in 9 States, U.T.s, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Approximately 8% of voters were removed from electoral rolls in nine States and Union Territories after the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
• The total voter count in these regions decreased from 21,45,62,215 to 19,75,33,701, marking a net deletion of 1,70,28,514 voters.
• Gujarat recorded the highest voter deletion rate among states at 13.4%, while Kerala had the lowest at 3.22%.
• Among Union Territories, Andaman and Nicobar saw the most deletions at 16.87%, and Lakshadweep the least at 0.36%.
• The Supreme Court intervened in West Bengal's SIR due to a "trust deficit" between the state government and the Election Commission (EC).

Detailed Insights:

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aimed to update and rectify voter lists across the country, addressing issues like duplicate registrations and ineligible voters.
• The final electoral rolls for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, and Goa were published on February 22, 2026, with Gujarat, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep releasing theirs earlier in February.
• Uttar Pradesh's final list is expected on April 10, 2026, after multiple extensions, while Tamil Nadu's list is scheduled for publication on February 23, 2026.
• In West Bengal, the Supreme Court's involvement highlights concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, leading to judicial oversight.
• Previous SIR exercises in Bihar and Assam also resulted in significant reductions in voter counts, indicating ongoing efforts to cleanse voter rolls nationwide.
• The Election Commission (EC) has directed the remaining 22 States and Union Territories to prepare for SIR, expected to commence from April 2026.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR): A comprehensive exercise to update and rectify voter lists by removing ineligible or duplicate voters.
• Electoral Roll: An official list of individuals eligible to vote in a particular election or jurisdiction.
• Election Commission (EC): An autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India.