2.89 cr names struck off electoral roll in UP draft SIR; highest deletions in Lucknow, Ghaziabad

Final electoral roll is to be published on 6 March, with deletions proposed in draft roll subject to change, based on people’s representations, objections, and scrutiny by EC.

People in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur checking their names in the draft electoral roll Tuesday. | ANI

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh draft voter list released by the Election Commission Tuesday under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has proposed to delete 2.89 crore voters, or 18.70 percent of the state’s total electors, from the list. This is the highest number of deletions among all the states and Union Territories where the exercise has been conducted so far.

Out of a total of 15.44 crore voters in the state, 12.55 crore submitted their enumeration forms till the last date on 26 December 2025.

According to the draft SIR data released by the Election Commission, nearly 2.89 crore names (around 18.70 per cent of the electorate) have been deleted from the rolls, with a significant number coming from BJP strongholds such as Lucknow, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

In contrast, minority-dominated districts have recorded fewer deletions. Rampur has seen a deletion  of 18.29 percent of its voters, affecting about 3.21 lakh voters, while Saharanpur has recorded 16.37 percent deletions (4.32 lakh) and Moradabad 15.76 percent (3.87 lakh). 

Out of the total deleted voters, 46.23 lakhs (2.99%) were found to be deceased, 2.17 crore (14.06%) absent or having shifted, and another 25.47 lakh (1.65%) with enrolments at multiple places. 

The filing of claims and objections starts Tuesday, and will continue till 6 February. In parallel, the commission is issuing notices for hearings and verifications, which will continue till 27 February.

The final list would be published on 6 March, and these numbers could change, based on people’s representations and objections. 

State Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa told a press conference in Lucknow Tuesday that out of 15,44,30,092 electors listed in the electoral rolls as on 27 October 2025, a total of 12,55,56,025 submitted their enumeration forms by the end of the enumeration period, indicating overwhelming participation in the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

He said that young citizens who attained the age of 18 years on or before January 1, 2026 are being encouraged to apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls through Form 6, along with the prescribed declaration form and relevant documents.

So far, 15,78,483 Form 6 applications, with or without declaration forms, have been received for the inclusion of new voters. After verification and submission of the required declaration and documents, their names will be added to the electoral rolls, he said. 

Rinwa said copies of the draft voter list have been shared with all political parties.

He further said that voters seeking deletion of names or correction of details can submit Form-7 and Form-8 respectively. 

Form-7 is meant for removal of names in cases such as death of a voter, while Form-8 is for correcting errors or updating information in case of a change in residence. 

Voters have been advised to check their names in the draft electoral roll published on Tuesday, and they will have one month to submit objections or corrections.

“The final electoral roll under the SIR will be published on March 6, 2026. Voters should verify their details by entering their EPIC number on the website. If their name is missing, they should submit Form-6,” Rinwa added.

Highest deletions in Lucknow & Ghaziabad 

Lucknow is among the districts recording the highest voter deletions from the electoral rolls, with 30.04 per cent voters, accounting for nearly 12 lakh names, followed by Ghaziabad with 28.83 per cent (8.18 lakh names).

Kanpur Nagar has seen a deletion of about 9 lakh voters (25.50 per cent), while Meerut 6.65 lakh voters (24.65 percent).

Prayagraj follows closely with 24.64 percent deletions, amounting to 11.56 lakh voters. Gautam Buddha Nagar has seen a deletion of 23.98 percent (4.47 lakh voters), while Agra has seen 23.25 percent (8.36 lakh) deletions.

ThePrint earlier reported a similar trend would emerge from the SIR exercise in the state.

(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)