Voter Base in Five Poll-Bound States Shrinks 12.2 Per Cent After SIR

The electorate in five states scheduled to hold assembly elections early next year declined by around 2.29 crore, or 12.2 per cent, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, according to data released by the Election Commission and state chief electoral officers.

The combined voter base in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur fell from approximately 18.71 crore to 16.43 crore after the exercise. Uttar Pradesh accounted for nearly 90 per cent of the overall decline.

In Uttar Pradesh, the electorate dropped from 15.44 crore before the revision to 12.56 crore in the draft rolls before recovering to 13.40 crore in the final list. The net reduction stood at around 2.04 crore, or 13.24 per cent, the highest among the five states. Nearly 84 lakh names removed from the draft rolls were restored.

In Punjab, the voter base declined from 2.15 crore to 2.01 crore, a net fall of approximately 14 lakh or 6.34 per cent. The state recorded the strongest recovery, with around 70 lakh names restored after the draft list was published.

Uttarakhand recorded a net decline of around eight lakh voters, or 10.07 per cent, with the electorate settling at 72 lakh. In Manipur, the voter base fell by approximately 1.3 lakh, or 6.33 per cent, to 19.6 lakh.

In Goa, the electorate declined from 11.85 lakh before the revision to 10.58 lakh in the final rolls, a reduction of nearly 10.76 per cent. It was the only state among the five where the final list contained fewer voters than the draft roll.

The Election Commission has indicated that assembly elections in the five states could be held early next year. A further electoral roll revision will provide eligible voters left out of the lists another opportunity to enrol, including those turning 18 on or before January 1.

The terms of the five state assemblies expire on different dates in March and May 2027. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, elections can be held earlier than six months before the expiry of an assembly's term.