A massive political storm has erupted in Uttar Pradesh following the publication of a draft electoral roll that saw the names of a staggering 2.89 crore electors removed. The opposition Congress and Samajwadi Party have launched a fierce attack on the Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, terming the deletions a "big conspiracy" and "murder of democracy."
Opposition's Scathing Attack and Demand for Probe
Congress leaders were quick to condemn the move. State Congress president Ajay Rai demanded an immediate inquiry, alleging a deliberate plot. He pointed out that 1.13 crore enumeration forms were not returned, which he claimed was central to the alleged conspiracy. Senior Congress MP Pramod Tiwari echoed the sentiment, stating that the party's earlier fears had been validated. He accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the electoral process and predicted the party's defeat in the state.
The Samajwadi Party also joined the fray, questioning the impartiality of the Election Commission. UP SP chief Shyam Lal Pal cited alleged irregularities during recent by-elections in nine assembly constituencies. He claimed voters were prevented from reaching booths and accused presiding officers of casting votes under government influence. SP leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand emphasized his party's vigilance in protecting the votes of the PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities, vowing to ensure they are not excluded from the electoral process.
Election Commission's Detailed Breakdown
Addressing the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa provided a detailed, data-driven explanation for the exclusions. The draft roll, published after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase 2, now lists over 12.5 crore electors. The removal of 2.89 crore names, constituting 18.7% of the previous total electorate of 15.4 crore, was attributed to specific reasons:
- 46.23 lakh voters (2.99%) were removed on account of being deceased.
- 2.17 crore voters (14.1%) were deleted for having permanently shifted, being untraceable, or being absent during visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
- 25.47 lakh voters (1.6%) were found to be enrolled in more than one place.
Rinwa clarified that the commission received approximately 12.55 crore signed forms from people wanting their names included in the draft list.
The Road Ahead: Claims and Objections Period
The Election Commission has outlined a clear process for redressal. A claims and objections period has been scheduled from January 6, 2026, to February 6, 2026. During this window, any existing or prospective voter can file applications for the inclusion of eligible names or the deletion of ineligible ones.
To handle these applications, the commission has appointed 403 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 2042 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs). They are tasked with scrutinizing all cases by February 27, 2026. Additional officers have been notified to ensure all claims and objections are disposed of within the set deadline, aiming to finalize an accurate and comprehensive voter list.
The issue has set the stage for a heated political debate in the run-up to future elections, with opposition parties vowing to keep a close watch on the electoral revision process.
