Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharshan Reddy has announced that nearly 93 lakh voters in Telangana will receive notices due to discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR-2026).
- Notices to be issued to 92,87,577 electors due to anomalies or missing details.
- A massive 73,39,235 names have been deleted from the state's electoral rolls.
- Total voter count in Telangana has dropped to 2,64,87,213.
- Deadline for claims and objections is September 16, 2026.
The notices target two primary groups: 60,50,918 electors with logical discrepancies in their data and 32,36,659 electors who failed to provide details during the 2002 SIR. These individuals must respond to the notices issued via Booth Level Officers (BLO) to ensure their names are retained in the final rolls. The CEO noted that personal hearings may be conducted by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) if necessary.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this aggressive purging of the rolls is likely a preemptive measure to curb electoral fraud and duplicate voting. However, the fact that 35% of the draft roll is under scrutiny suggests a historic lapse in periodic data updates, necessitating this massive administrative exercise.
"Maintaining a clean electoral roll is the cornerstone of a fair democracy; the removal of 'ghost voters' is essential for legitimate outcomes."
The deletion of 73.39 lakh names falls under the ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate) classification. The largest segment consists of 45,18,963 voters listed as 'Permanently Shifted.' Other deletions include 11,25,546 absent/untraceable voters, 9,22,229 deceased individuals, and 6,70,203 duplicates.
To manage this colossal task, a workforce of 119 EROs, 892 Assistant EROs, and up to 1,000 Additional EROs has been deployed. The entire verification process is scheduled for completion by October 15, 2026.
| Deletion Category (ASDD) | Number of Electors |
|---|---|
| Permanently Shifted | 45,18,963 |
| Absent/Untraceable | 11,25,546 |
| Deceased | 9,22,229 |
| Duplicates | 6,70,203 |
Voters can verify their status on the Election Commission of India’s official website or by sending an SMS to 1950. Those whose names were deleted have until September 16, 2026, to file objections or apply afresh using Form 6 along with the required declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can I check if my name is still on the voter list?
A: Visit the official portal at voters.eci.gov.in or SMS 'ECI <EPIC number>' to 1950.
Q2: What should I do if my name has been deleted?
A: You can file a claim/objection by September 16, 2026, or submit a fresh application using Form 6.
