Jharkhand SIR: Over 43 lakh voters deleted in draft electoral rolls

Over 43 lakh voters were deleted from the draft electoral rolls in Jharkhand following the enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, according to the State Election Commission. The revised list was released on August 5, 2026, revealing that nearly 16.5% of registered voters were removed due to reasons such as death, migration, non-response, or duplication. The figures were disclosed by K. Ravi Kumar, the Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer, during a press briefing in Ranchi. The removals included over 7 lakh deceased individuals, more than 14 lakh who could not be traced, and over 15 lakh who had permanently relocated outside the state. Additionally, 1.16 lakh voters declined to sign and return their enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). These deletions fall under the “Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate” (ASDD) category, with a total of 43,61,987 names being excluded from the draft rolls. Kumar emphasized that the SIR initiative aims to enhance the accuracy and inclusivity of the electoral rolls by systematically removing ineligible voters while ensuring that all eligible citizens are accounted for. He noted that the process has been transparent and well-coordinated, with a high level of public engagement. As of July 29, 2,21,01,249 out of 2,64,63,236 electors had submitted their enumeration forms, representing an 83.51% response rate. The SIR process in Jharkhand began on June 30, 2026, with BLOs visiting households across the state to collect partially filled enumeration forms and verify voter information. This phase concluded on July 29, marking the end of the data collection stage. The success of the enumeration phase was attributed to the collaborative efforts of numerous officials and volunteers. A total of 24 District Electoral Officers (DEOs), 81 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 365 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 63 Additional AEROs, and 2,938 BLOs were deployed across 29,571 polling stations. Each site was further supported by volunteers, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Political party field representatives, including district presidents, played an active role, with approximately 77,430 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by recognized parties contributing to the effort. The next phase of the SIR involves the claims and objections period, which runs from August 5 to September 4. During this time, eligible electors who were omitted from the draft rolls can apply to be reinstated by submitting Form-6 along with a declaration form. This step allows for corrections and ensures that any oversight or error in the initial enumeration phase is addressed. The SIR process is part of the broader efforts by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to maintain up-to-date and accurate electoral records. It reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability in the democratic process. With the current phase complete, attention now shifts to the verification and finalization stages, which will determine the finalized voter list ahead of upcoming elections.