GS2Polity · Governance · IR·Polity & Constitution
Electoral Rolls and Voter Revision for UPSC
262 notes · updated 6 Nov 2026
The basics
The electoral roll is the official list of persons entitled to vote in an election. It serves as the foundational database for the democratic process, ensuring that the right to franchise is exercised by eligible citizens. The Election Commission of India is the primary authority responsible for the preparation, maintenance, and revision of these rolls, primarily governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951.
Voter revision is a periodic process to update the rolls by adding new eligible voters, removing deceased individuals or those who have shifted, and correcting errors. This includes the Summary Revision, conducted periodically, and Special Summary Revisions, which are carried out during specific periods or for specific purposes. Key technical processes involve de-duplication to eliminate multiple entries and ensuring the accuracy of voter mapping.
UPSC examines this topic because it relates to the integrity of the electoral process and the constitutional right to vote. For Prelims, questions may focus on the statutory framework and the roles of the Election Commission. For Mains, the focus is on administrative challenges, such as ensuring universal registration and the technological measures used to prevent electoral fraud.
In the news
- ECI to provide another opportunity for ASDD electors in 7 States
The Election Commission of India (ECI) decided on November 6, 2026, to provide another opportunity for electors marked as Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate (ASDD) to be included in the electoral rolls.
- ECI separates Form 6 and declaration to require separate OTP verifications
The Election Commission of India (ECI) separated Form 6 and the accompanying declaration in its online portal to require separate OTP verifications during the SIR exercise.
- Bhushan tells Supreme Court ECI still requires purged voters to use Form 6
Advocate Prashant Bhushan informed the Supreme Court that the Election Commission of India (ECI) continues to require purged voters in Delhi to use Form 6
- EC clarifies voters can submit Form-6 for inclusion without Section 31 action
The Election Commission clarified that existing voters can submit Form-6 for inclusion in the electoral roll without facing penalties under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- ECI revises Special Intensive Revision schedule for Maharashtra, Delhi and 4 other states
The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the Special Intensive Revision schedule for six states, including Maharashtra and Delhi, to accommodate voter claims and roll publication.
- ECI rejects 1,92,574 Telangana voter applications due to missing mandatory declaration forms
The Election Commission of India (ECI) rejected 1,92,574 pre-SIR voter applications in Telangana due to the absence of mandatory declaration forms.
- ECI defends additional declaration form as court examines Priya Mishra's petition
The Election Commission of India (ECI) defended the use of an additional declaration form for voters deleted during the Special Intensive Revision against a petition filed by Priya Mishra.
- Karnataka removes 99.32 lakh names from electoral roll after Special Intensive Revision
The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka published the final electoral roll after a Special Intensive Revision, resulting in the removal of over 99.32 lakh names from the voter list.
- ECI faces questions over legal basis for using pre-printed 2025 Enumeration Forms
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing scrutiny over the legal validity of using pre-printed 2025 Enumeration Forms for Special Intensive Revision
- 4,263 name deletion applications missing from Delhi’s mandatory public disclosures
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer failed to publicly disclose 4,263 Form 7 applications for name deletions from the electoral roll, violating the Election Commission of India manual.
- ECI directs Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls for January 1, 2027 date
The Election Commission of India directed a Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls to establish a qualifying date of January 1, 2027.
- Maharashtra chief electoral officer requests ECI to modify Form 6 for re-registering voters
The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to modify Form 6 to facilitate the re-registration of voters removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- ECI directs Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls for 14 States and 3 UTs
The Election Commission of India (ECI) directed a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls for 14 States and 3 Union Territories to ensure accurate voter lists.
- Activists petition Supreme Court over 47,56,722 electors excluded in Delhi revision
Transparency activists Anjali Bhardwaj and Amrita Johri filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the exclusion of 47,56,722 electors from the Delhi special intensive revision.
- Delhi CEO clears 19 lakh electoral cases in two weeks under special revision
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) reported clearing 19 lakh electoral cases in two weeks under a special intensive revision to finalize the voter roll.
- ECI deletes 13.3 crore voters amid Supreme Court notes on procedural issues
The Election Commission of India (ECI) deleted approximately 13.3 crore voters during a special intensive revision (SIR) starting in June 2025, drawing scrutiny from the Supreme Court over procedural flaws.
- Supreme Court suggests prioritizing lakhs of West Bengal voters over 37.05 lakh backlogged appeals
The Supreme Court suggested prioritizing the inclusion of lakhs of voters in the West Bengal electoral roll over 37.05 lakh backlogged exclusion appeals to ensure participation in the November 2026 municipal elections.
- ECI SIR results in 13.37 crore deletions across 30 States and Union Territories
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) resulting in 13.37 crore deletions across 30 States and Union Territories.
- Telangana faces permanent deletion of nearly 70 lakh voters during Special Intensive Revision
The Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana reported the permanent deletion of nearly 70 lakh voters during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Supreme Court establishes 19 tribunals to recheck 27 lakh alleged wrongful voter deletions
The Supreme Court established 19 appellate tribunals to recheck 27 lakh cases of alleged wrongful voter deletions in West Bengal following turmoil over the Special Intensive Revision.
- Telangana CEO orders penalties for applicants making knowingly false statements in voter forms
Telangana Chief Electoral Officer ordered District Election Officers and Collectors to penalize applicants for knowingly making false statements in voter registration forms.
- Kerala CEO to re-enroll 8.97 lakh voters removed during Special Intensive Revision
The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala announced a special drive to re-enroll 8.97 lakh voters who were removed during the Special Intensive Revision.
- ECI plans special drive to enrol left-out and first-time eligible electors
The Election Commission of India (ECI) planned a special drive to enrol left-out and first-time eligible electors in States and Union Territories following the completion of Special Intensive Revisions.
- Karnataka voter deletions exceed 19% despite 91.30% mapping during Special Intensive Revision
Karnataka officials reported a significant discrepancy where voter deletions exceeded 19% despite a 91.30% mapping rate during the Special Intensive Revision.
- 93% of deleted voters in West Bengal were eligible but lost voting rights
Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat alleged that 93% of deleted voters in West Bengal were eligible but lost voting rights due to decisions made against his will during the Special Intensive Revision.
- EC extends Special Intensive Revision schedule for Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya to October
The Election Commission extended the Special Intensive Revision schedule for electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya to October 2026.
- Election Commission Faces 8,14,160 Pending Applications, 6,49,085 Stuck Over 45 Days
The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported a significant backlog in processing voter applications and notices ahead of the October 7 and November 5 deadlines.
- Deep rot: On the Election Commission of India’s functioning during its SIR
An investigation revealed that two Election Commissioners objected on record 14 times in ten months, alleging that several decisions were made without their knowledge during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- Odisha SIR: More Than 20 Lakh Voters Deleted From Electoral Roll
Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer announced the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which resulted in the removal of over 20 lakh voters.
- SIR: As against 80.62 lakh shifted, absent names, only 6.66 lakh Form-6 applications
The Election Commission identified over 80.62 lakh voters as shifted or absent in the draft voter roll, but received only 6.66 lakh Form-6 applications by September 19.
- Poll Body Chief, S Jaishankar Among Those Facing Notices Over Voter List
The Election Commission clarified that notices issued to prominent voters, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
- India's CEC Emphasizes Electoral Transparency at Gujarat University
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized electoral transparency and the role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in maintaining accurate electoral rolls at Gujarat University.
- Manipur Deletes 1,32,456 Voters in Electoral Roll Cleanup Amid Kuki-Zo Concerns
The Election Commission of India (ECI) published final photo electoral rolls for Manipur and Sikkim after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, leading to concerns from Kuki-Zo groups regarding voter deletions.
- Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Publishes Draft Voter List Leaving Out 47.56 Lakh Names
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer published a draft voter list excluding 47.56 lakh names, highlighting the procedural mechanism for voter list maintenance and inclusion.
- Karnataka electoral rolls slash 1.08 crore voters in unprecedented 19.5% drop
Karnataka's draft electoral rolls showed an unprecedented 19.5% decline in voters following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- Election Commission of India Initiates Special Intensive Revision Notice Phase
The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) phase to rectify electoral roll discrepancies and improve voter data accuracy.
The newest 36 notes are shown.
Key facts
- Act: Representation of the People Act, 1950 — Governs the preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls. note →
- Concept: Special Summary Revision — process to ensure inclusion of eligible voters, particularly first-time electors
- Concept: Form 6: Specifically designated for new voters to apply for registration. note →
- Concept: Form 8: Enumeration form intended for voters seeking re-enrolment or corrections. note →
- Concept: Form-7 — Application for deletion from the electoral roll.
- Body: Chief Electoral Officer — the authority responsible for publishing the final electoral roll note →
Practice · 5 questions
Which of the following states is included in the list of seven states/UTs identified by the ECI for monitoring ASDD electors?
- (a)Gujarat
- (b)West Bengal
- (c)Nagaland
- (d)Kerala
Answer
(c) Nagaland — Nagaland is one of the seven specific states/UTs identified for the monitoring mechanism. Note →
Which of the following regions is included in the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls announced by the Election Commission?
- (a)Gujarat
- (b)Kerala
- (c)Sikkim
- (d)Punjab
Answer
(c) Sikkim — The note specifies that the revision covers Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Mizoram, Odisha, and Sikkim. Note →
With reference to the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, consider the following statements:
- The draft electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on November 30, 2025.
- The revision specifically targets young and first-time electors.
- The revision covers a total of 7 states and Union Territories.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)3 only
- (b)1 and 2 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)2 and 3 only
Answer
(d) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The note states the draft publication date is November 30, 2026. Note →
Which body implemented the separation of Form 6 and declaration to require separate OTP verifications?
- (a)Election Commission of India
- (b)National Election Authority
- (c)Central Election Bureau
- (d)Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Answer
(a) Election Commission of India — The Election Commission of India implemented this change to prevent unauthorized tweaking of forms. Note →
With reference to the registration of electors and electoral rolls, consider the following statements:
- Form 6 is the designated form for voters seeking re-enrolment or corrections.
- The deadline for filing claims and objections was extended to November 25, 2025.
- ASDD categories include voters who are Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)2 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Answer
(b) 3 only — Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: Form 6 is specifically designated for new voters. Statement 2 is incorrect: The deadline was extended to November 25, 2026. Note →
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