JAIPUR: The State Election Commission in Rajasthan has released a draft list of voters whose names have been removed from the electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
According to the commission, the draft list includes 41.85 lakh voters who have been deleted from the rolls for various reasons. The list has been uploaded on the official website, allowing voters to check the status of their names. The release just ahead of the Panchayat and Civic body elections, the issue has triggered political reactions.
Along with the draft list, separate lists of absent voters, permanently shifted voters, deceased voters, and voters already registered elsewhere have also been made public.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Naveen Mahajan clarified that individual notices will not be issued to voters whose names have been removed during the process. However, voters who object to the deletion of their names can file claims by submitting the required documents.
The Election Commission said that around 11 lakh voters could not be mapped during the SIR process. Notices will be issued to these voters at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) level. These include voters whose names were not covered in the earlier SIR exercise or those who could not submit documents at that time. After receiving the notice, such voters can submit the necessary certificates to get their names re-included in the electoral roll.
The CEO said the draft voter list has been prepared across all 41 districts, 199 assembly constituencies, and 61,136 polling stations in the state. The list will also be shared with all recognised political parties to ensure transparency and to provide an opportunity to raise objections or suggestions within the stipulated time.
Meanwhile, the process of adding new voters has also begun. All district collectors have been instructed to create awareness among citizens to verify their names in the voter list. Eligible citizens whose names are missing can apply using Form 6 along with a declaration form. In addition, youths who will turn 18 years of age by April 1, July 1, or October 1, 2026, can also apply in advance through Form-6.
According to SIR rules, before any voter’s name is finally removed, a full opportunity of hearing must be given. A written order will be issued by the concerned SDM or tehsildar, against which an appeal can be filed before the collector and subsequently before the Chief Electoral Officer. The stated objective of the exercise is to make the voter list accurate and up to date, ensuring that no eligible citizen’s voting rights are affected.
The issue has also triggered political reactions. The Congress has been opposing the SIR process, alleging voter fraud by the BJP. A response from the party is expected following reports of the removal of a large number of voter names.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh recently levelled serious allegations against the Modi government and the Election Commission, claiming that large-scale manipulation of voter lists is being carried out across the country in the name of SIR and Intensive Revision. He alleged that the names of opposition supporters are being deliberately removed for political gain.
Singh further claimed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are under severe pressure, alleging that they are being forced to meet targets for deleting voter names, which has caused extreme mental distress.
Questioning the need for a sudden Special Intensive Revision, the former minister said that the routine annual process in January and July was sufficient to remove deceased voters’ names and add new voters.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra targeted the Congress, saying the party has a history of voter fraud. He said that voter lists are now being purified through the SIR process and that only Indian citizens will have the right to vote. He added that preparations for the panchayat elections have been completed and that the final decision now rests with the State Election Commission.