Poll rolls shrink by 1.7 crore (8%) in 9 states/UTs under SIR Phase 2

Times of India

by BHARTI JAIN

February 22, 2026

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Poll rolls shrink by 1.7 crore (8%) in 9 states/UTs under SIR Phase 2

India's electoral rolls have seen a significant decline in nine states and union territories (UTs) under Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with over 1.7 crore electors being struck off. The combined electorate of these regions dropped by 7.9% to 19.7 crore, compared to 21.4 crore at the start of the SIR process in October 2025. States including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala reported notable declines, ranging from a steep 16.9% drop in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to a modest 3.2% decline in Kerala. The exercise aims to remove duplicate entries and update voter information, reflecting the government's efforts to ensure accurate electoral rolls. Among the nine states/UTs, four recorded net deletions above the overall average, while five saw minimal changes. Gujarat experienced the highest drop with a 13.4% reduction, followed by Chhattisgarh at 11.8%. Meanwhile, Lakshadweep and Puducherry saw smaller declines of 0.3% and 7.6%, respectively. The remaining states, including Rajasthan, Goa, and Kerala, reported moderate reductions. Three states—West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—are yet to publish their final rolls, with timelines extending into February and March. The SIR exercise is part of a broader initiative to modernize India's electoral system. While Phase 1 focused on Bihar and Assam, Phase 2 has expanded to cover additional regions. The process involves rigorous verification and data cleaning to ensure the authenticity of voter lists. This effort is particularly significant in regions like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, where the electorate dropped by 16.9%, highlighting the challenges of maintaining accurate rolls in remote or geographically dispersed areas. The decline in electoral rolls underscores the need for continuous updates to address demographic changes and errors in voter registration. As India prepares for future elections, such revisions play a crucial role in ensuring fair representation and efficient voting processes. With Phase 3 expected to begin in April, more

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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026