Concerns over deletion of 97 lakh voters in TN ahead of Elections
Election Commission of India (ECI) must uphold transparency in Tamil Nadu, ensuring availability of correct data
The Election Commission on Friday wrapped up the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (S.I.R.) in Tamil Nadu. The draft electoral roll for the state has been prepared, and raises serious concerns regarding voter disenfranchisement.
On Friday evening, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, announced that the revised draft electoral roll includes 5.43 crore electors, down from the earlier 6.41 crore. This means that more than 97 lakh names have been deleted from the rolls. Further clarifying, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik stated that about 27 lakh names were deleted due to deaths, while 66.44 lakh voters removed were those who had migrated. The highlight, however, is the number of names deleted citing duplication, which stands at about 3.39 lakh.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed distrust in the roll revision exercise. Also, he consistently criticised the Election Commission’s actions while questioning the Centre’s intentions. He termed the move a BJP tactic aimed at manipulating elections by removing genuine voters from the list. The southern state has long remained the BJP’s weak spot, with the party holding only four seats in the current Assembly. Additionally, recent allegations of “vote chori” raised by the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, further reinforce the basis of Stalin’s concerns.
Necessary Measures for conflict-free conduct of excercise
The next phase of SIR – the Claims and Objections period, from 19.12.2025 to 18.01.2026 is required to be managed by the book. Eligible voters whose names have been deleted must be given clear notice, simple procedures to file claims, and sufficient time to respond. Booth-level verification, cross-checking with supporting documents, and mandatory hearings for disputed deletions can help correct errors and minimize discrepancies. Political parties and observers must be granted access to the claims-objections data to flag patterns of exclusion in real time.
If implemented rigorously, this phase can act as a corrective filter. Moreover, will ensure that administrative lapses do not translate into voter disenfranchisement and that the integrity of the electoral roll is restored.
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