A massive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Delhi's electoral rolls has led to the removal of 4.7 million voters, sparking a fierce political backlash from AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.
- Approximately 47.75 lakh voters (33%) have been removed from Delhi's draft voter list.
- The removal is attributed to the 'ASDDO' category (Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate, and Others).
- Polling stations have increased from 13,033 to 14,947 to reduce voter density per booth.
- Affected citizens have until September 30 to file claims via Form 6.
The National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is witnessing a significant electoral upheaval following the release of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) draft voter list. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, nearly 4.7 million names have been excised from the rolls, meaning roughly one out of every three registered voters in the city is currently missing from the draft.
The process, which involved a door-to-door survey conducted between June 30 and August 17, 2026, aimed to digitize and clean the electoral rolls. According to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi, out of 1.45 crore registered voters, only 67.22% of enumeration forms were successfully digitized. The remaining 47 lakh individuals were categorized as ASDDO (Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate, and Others), leading to their exclusion from the current draft.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that a 33% deletion rate is unprecedented for a metropolitan area and could significantly alter the demographic weight of various constituencies. While the Election Commission cites 'floating population' as the primary cause, the timing and scale of these deletions often lead to allegations of voter suppression in highly contested urban centers. This revision doesn't just change numbers; it changes the potential outcome of future elections by shifting the active electorate.
Reacting to the draft, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal took to X (formerly Twitter) to launch a scathing attack on the Election Commission. He sarcastically remarked that at this rate, the commission might reduce India's total population from 140 crore to 50 crore, suggesting that the deletions are arbitrary and politically motivated.
"The high percentage of deletions in Delhi reflects the city's volatile migratory patterns, but the lack of prior notification for millions creates a crisis of democratic trust."
To manage the remaining voters more efficiently, the Election Commission has restructured polling stations. The maximum number of voters per booth has been reduced from 1,500 to 1,200. This administrative shift has resulted in the total number of polling stations increasing from 13,033 to 14,947, aimed at reducing queues and improving the voting experience.
The Election Department has assured that no name will be permanently deleted without due process. Voters whose names are missing can submit Form 6 along with supporting documents by September 30. The final voter list is scheduled for publication on November 4, 2026, after a rigorous verification process and a window for appeals to the District Magistrate and CEO.
| Metric | Before SIR | After SIR (Draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Registered Voters | 1,45,10,299 | 97,53,577 |
| Polling Stations | 13,033 | 14,947 |
| Voters per Booth (Max) | 1,500 | 1,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What should I do if my name is missing from the draft list?
You must submit Form 6 along with the required identity and address proofs to the election office by September 30, 2026.
Q2: When will the final voter list be published?
The final, verified voter list will be officially released on November 4, 2026.
