Voter Numbers Decline in Key Indian States Ahead of Assembly Elections
Voter Reduction Observed in Five States
Photo: PTI (Representational image)
New Delhi, Nov 2: Recent data indicates a significant decrease in the number of voters in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur, with reductions reaching as high as 13.24% following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.
The upcoming assembly elections in these five states are set for early next year.
According to information released by the Election Commission and state electoral officials, the total electorate in these states dropped from approximately 18.71 crore to 16.43 crore after the SIR, marking a decrease of about 2.29 crore, or roughly 12.2%.
Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest voter base among these states, accounted for nearly 90% of the overall decline.
In Uttar Pradesh, during the second phase of SIR, the number of electors fell from 15.44 crore before the revision to 12.56 crore in the draft roll, and then to 13.40 crore in the final rolls.
This resulted in a net loss of around 2.04 crore voters, equating to a 13.24% drop, the highest among the five states.
The draft roll eliminated approximately 2.89 crore names, with about 0.84 crore (around 29%) being reinstated.
In Punjab, where SIR was conducted in the third phase, the electorate decreased from 2.15 crore to 1.94 crore in the draft, before rising to 2.01 crore in the final rolls. The net loss here was about 0.14 crore or 6.34%, with the strongest recovery rate, as around 0.07 crore of the roughly 0.21 crore draft deletions (about 34%) were restored.
Uttarakhand, also undergoing SIR in phase III, saw its electorate drop from 0.80 crore to 0.71 crore, finally settling at 0.72 crore, resulting in a net loss of about 0.08 crore or 10.07%. Only about 0.0025 crore returned, which is around three percent of the draft deletions.
In Manipur, where SIR was held in phase III, the number of electors decreased from 0.209 crore to 0.193 crore, ending at 0.196 crore, leading to a net loss of about 0.013 crore or 6.33%, similar to Punjab, with about 17% of draft deletions restored.
Goa, where SIR took place in phase II, saw its electorate drop from 0.1185 crore to 0.1085 crore, and then further to 0.1058 crore, resulting in a net loss of nearly 0.013 crore or 10.76%. Notably, Goa is the only state among the five where the final roll is smaller than the draft, indicating no net restoration.
The Election Commission has recently emphasized the importance of the ongoing special summary revision in 17 states, noting that assembly elections in these five states could occur "early next year." This revision process aims to provide an opportunity for voters who were previously excluded to register.
Young individuals who turn 18 on or before January 1 will also have the chance to register and participate in the elections in these states.
The term for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly concludes on May 22 next year, while the terms for the 60-member Manipur, 40-member Goa, 117-member Punjab, and 70-member Uttarakhand assemblies will end at various dates in March 2027.
According to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission is permitted to conduct elections "earlier than six months before the term expires."