Election Commission Cleans Up Voter Rolls: Over 60 Lakh Dead Voters Removed!

In a significant move, the Election Commission has pruned the voters' list across nine states and three Union territories by 10.2%, removing over 60 lakh deceased voters. This cleanup follows the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has now concluded. The updated list shows a total of 45.81 crore voters, down from over 50.99 crore. The exercise has faced challenges, including legal challenges from political parties in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. As the next phase of SIR is set to cover additional states, this initiative aims to ensure a more accurate electoral process.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 11, 2026, 21:31 IST

Significant Reduction in Voter Rolls

New Delhi: The Election Commission has successfully reduced the combined voters' list of nine states and three Union territories by 10.2%, eliminating over 60 lakh deceased voters, according to data released by the electoral authority and state officials.

The second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was initiated on October 27, with the initial voter count exceeding 50.99 crore across the 12 states and UTs.

Following the completion of this exercise, the updated voters' list now totals 45.81 crore, reflecting a decrease of more than 5.18 crore.

A total of 66,88,636 deceased electors have been removed, with Uttar Pradesh contributing the highest number at 25.47 lakh, followed closely by West Bengal with 24.16 lakh.

Moreover, 63.16 lakh names were struck off due to objections and adjudication during the SIR process.

The second phase of SIR has concluded, with the final electoral rolls for states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and others published on various dates.

Uttar Pradesh was the last to release its final rolls on Friday.

This exercise, which has kept the Election Commission in the spotlight, was previously completed in Bihar, and now covers the aforementioned 12 states and UTs, which collectively have nearly 51 crore electors.

The remaining 40 crore electors will be addressed in 17 states and five Union territories when the next phase of SIR begins, likely after the upcoming assembly elections.

The states and UTs involved include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and several others.

In Assam, a 'special revision' was completed on February 10 instead of the SIR.

Due to various factors, the SIR exercise in the nine states and three Union territories has experienced multiple schedule adjustments.

Political parties, similar to those in Bihar, have approached the Supreme Court to challenge the SIR process in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.