New Delhi: In a major nationwide exercise to streamline voter data, the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has resulted in the removal of approximately 5.18 crore names from electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories.
According to data from the Election Commission, cited by PTI, the revision drive also identified and removed nearly 66.88 lakh deceased voters, ensuring greater accuracy in the voter database. Following this large-scale cleanup, the total number of registered voters now stands at 45.81 crore—with nearly 10% of entries eliminated during the process.
Among the states, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of deletions, with 25.47 lakh names removed, closely followed by West Bengal, where around 24.16 lakh voters were struck off the rolls.
The second phase covered Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa. The phase officially concluded with the release of the updated voter list in Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the third phase, which will focus on verifying voter data of nearly 40 crore citizens across 17 states and 5 Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Telangana, and others.
This extensive revision exercise is aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring a more accurate and reliable electoral system ahead of upcoming elections.
