Key Points:
- Over 93 lakh voters removed across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala
- Madhya Pradesh leads with 42,74,160 deletions, Bhopal accounts for 4.38 lakh
- Chhattisgarh removed 27,34,817 names, Kerala deleted over 24 lakh voters
- 31.51 lakh shifted voters and 2.77 lakh duplicate entries found in MP
- Claims and objections accepted until January 22, 2026
- Final voter lists to be published on February 21, 2026
- Voters can check status on ECI website using EPIC number
A massive electoral clean-up operation has stripped over 93 lakh voters from draft rolls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala, marking one of the largest voter list purifications in recent Indian electoral history. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR), conducted by the Election Commission of India, aims to eliminate fraudulent entries and create pristine electoral rolls ahead of upcoming state elections and the 2026 general election cycle.
The scale of the operation reveals systemic issues that have plagued voter registration systems for decades. Election officials deployed over 15,000 verification teams across the three states, conducting door-to-door surveys, cross-referencing death certificates, and using Aadhaar linkage to identify duplicate entries. The process, which began in October 2025, represents the most comprehensive electoral roll audit since the introduction of electronic voter management systems.
Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal Leads Deletions with 4.38 Lakh Names Removed
In Madhya Pradesh, a total of 42,74,160 voters’ names were removed under this campaign, fundamentally altering the state’s electoral landscape. The capital city, Bhopal, witnessed the highest concentration of deletions, with 4.38 lakh names struck off the rolls across its seven assembly constituencies. The Govindpura and Narela assembly segments recorded the most significant reductions, each losing over 65,000 voters, primarily due to urban migration and outdated residential records.
State Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan explained that the verification process uncovered alarming discrepancies. The number of shifted and absent voters stands at 31.51 lakh, representing 5.49% of the state’s total electorate. Additionally, 2.77 lakh voters, or 0.48%, were found enrolled in more than one place, creating opportunities for double voting. The data also revealed 8.46 lakh deceased voters whose names remained on rolls due to non-reporting of deaths by families or administrative lapses.
Chhattisgarh: 27 Lakh Names Removed Since Special Campaign Began
Along with MP, Chhattisgarh has removed a total of 27,34,817 names since the special campaign commenced in early November 2025. Of these, over 19 lakh voters have permanently moved from their old addresses, highlighting the state’s ongoing rural-to-urban migration crisis. Another 6.42 lakh voters have died, while approximately 1.79 lakh names were removed due to duplicate entries, often created when voters registered both at their ancestral villages and current urban residences.
The first phase of the Special Intensive Revision saw tremendous participation, with citizens submitting over 4.2 lakh objections and suggestions. The Election Commission has processed 89% of these inputs, leading to the current purge. Chhattisgarh’s tribal-dominated districts, particularly Bastar and Surguja, exhibited the highest rates of duplicate entries, which were attributed to poor connectivity and manual registration errors.
Kerala: Over 24 Lakh Voters Removed, NRI Factor Plays Key Role
Meanwhile, Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer, Ratan U Kelkar, stated that over 24 lakh voters have been removed from the draft list in the state. Kerala’s unique demographic situation, with over 18 lakh NRIs, contributed significantly to the deletions. A large number of people were found who no longer reside at their relevant polling stations, having moved to Gulf countries or other Indian states, yet their names remained active.
The verification process also identified 2.3 lakh duplicate entries, often occurring when NRIs returned home and re-registered without deleting their previous entries. Additionally, 1.8 lakh deceased voters were removed, while 1.2 lakh names were struck off due to incorrect address details in urban areas like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
Claims and Objections Process: Last Chance for Affected Voters
In all three states, the Election Commission has given an opportunity to voters whose names were mistakenly removed from the electoral roll. The last date for filing claims and objections is January 22, 2026. Voters can submit Form-6 (for inclusion), Form-7 (for deletion of others’ names), or Form-8 (for correction of details) through multiple channels, including the Voter Helpline App, NVSP portal, or at designated voter facilitation centers.
After verification and correction, the final voter list will be published on February 21, 2026. Election officials have assured that genuine voters whose names were erroneously deleted will be reinstated after proper verification. However, they emphasize that the burden of proof lies with the voter to establish their eligibility and current residence.
How to Check Your Name in the Draft Roll
To check if your name has been removed or is still on the list, visit the ECI website https://voters.eci.gov.in/download-eroll and select your state. Then select the district and assembly constituency. A list of all the districts in your state will appear on the page in a table format.
To proceed, click on the name of your district. Then select the assembly constituency and download the draft roll for your area. Search for your name using your EPIC number or name. If you cannot find your name, contact the Booth Level Officer (BLO) assigned to your polling station. The BLO’s contact details are available on the voter slip of the last election or can be obtained from the district election office.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
This massive clean-up will significantly impact electoral arithmetic in all three states. In Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP won a narrow victory in 2023, the deletion of 42 lakh voters could alter the dynamics in at least 35 assembly segments where the victory margin was less than 5,000 votes. Similarly, in Chhattisgarh and Kerala, the revised rolls will form the basis for upcoming local body elections and the 2026 assembly polls.
Election Commission officials have declared that no further extensions will be granted beyond the January 22 deadline, urging citizens to verify their voter status immediately. The success of this operation may prompt similar intensive revisions in other states, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar likely to be next in line for such comprehensive electoral roll cleansing.
