Voter rolls shrink 12% in UP, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Manipur after SIR

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists has cut the combined electorate of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur from about 18.71 crore to 16.43 crore, a net fall of around 2.29 crore, or roughly 12.2%, according to data released by the Election Commission and state chief electoral officers. Individual states saw declines of up to 13.24%.

Uttar Pradesh dominates the picture. As the largest electorate of the five, it accounts for nearly 90% of the total reduction. Its rolls went from 15.44 crore before SIR to 12.56 crore in the draft, then recovered to 13.40 crore in the final list, so a sizeable share of draft deletions was restored.

The other states show a mixed pattern. Punjab saw the strongest comeback: of about 0.21 crore draft deletions, roughly 34% returned, leaving a net loss of about 6.34% (2.15 crore to 2.01 crore). Manipur restored about 17% of its draft deletions and ended 6.33% lower. Uttarakhand got back only about 3%, finishing 10.07% down at around 0.72 crore.

Goa is the odd one out. Its final roll, about 0.1058 crore, is smaller than the draft, so no names were restored on balance, and the state's net loss stands at 10.76%.

Why it matters: all five states head to Assembly elections early next year. UP's 403-seat house has a term ending May 22, while the terms of Manipur (60 seats), Goa (40), Punjab (117) and Uttarakhand (70) end on different dates in March 2027. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, lets the Commission hold polls earlier than six months before a term expires.

There is a second chance for those missing. The Commission has ordered a special summary revision in 17 states, including these five, so left-out voters can apply to be added. Young people turning 18 on or before January 1 can also enrol and vote in the coming contests. For political parties and first-time voters alike, the next few weeks of enrolment may shape the final numbers.

Source: Navhind Times

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