Congress says bulk applications to delete voter names are being processed in Uttarakhand

Congress leaders in Uttarakhand have raised serious concerns over the handling of bulk applications to delete voter names during the current special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to a memorandum submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on August 20, 2026, the party alleges that unverified mass submissions of Form 7, used to challenge or remove names from the voter list, are being processed without adequate verification. This comes amid the claims and objections phase, which ran until August 13, and the final voter list is set to be announced on September 15. The Congress delegation, including MLA Qazi Muhammed Nizamuddin, visited the Uttarakhand Chief Electoral Officer, B.V.R.C. Purushottam, in Dehradun on August 21 to highlight these issues. They cited instances where individuals reportedly submitted thousands of Form 7 applications, often without direct connection to the affected constituencies. These applications, which require a detailed inquiry by booth-level officers or Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), are meant to address discrepancies such as deaths, migrations, or ineligibility. However, the party argues that the process is being exploited, with some applicants possibly having institutional access to submit large volumes of forms. Form 7 filings are subject to specific procedural safeguards. While political party agents can file up to 10 applications per day, totaling 30 in a month, there is no cap on individual submissions. To curb potential abuse, the ECI mandates that anyone filing more than five objections must undergo a mandatory review by an ERO. Despite these rules, the Congress claims that the procedure is being bypassed, with many objections coming from individuals who are not residents of the relevant areas or even registered voters. A detailed analysis of Form-10 data, provided by the Uttarakhand CEO's office, revealed alarming patterns. From the publication of the draft electoral rolls on July 14 to August 6, 262 individuals each filed over 10 Form 7 objections, resulting in several thousand requests for deletions. One notable case involves Rajesh Tiwari in the Kichha Assembly constituency of Udham Singh Nagar district, who allegedly submitted around 6,410 objections. Such high numbers suggest either systematic manipulation or widespread non-compliance with the established procedures. Furthermore, the Congress memorandum highlighted that unannounced efforts are underway to identify and remove entries deemed demographically or photographically similar. In Udham Singh Nagar alone, approximately 102,793 electors are proposed for deletion, yet no formal guidelines or prior notice were given. This lack of transparency raises questions about the fairness and legality of the process, particularly concerning due process and the rights of affected voters. The ECI has acknowledged the concerns and instructed the Uttarakhand CEO to investigate the bulk Form 7 submissions. The final stage of the SIR process includes the disposal of notices, which is expected to conclude by September 11. As the deadline approaches, scrutiny over the integrity of the voter list revision continues, with calls for greater oversight and adherence to established protocols. The situation underscores the need for strict compliance with procedural norms to safeguard the accuracy and legitimacy of electoral records.