In a massive administrative cleanup, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Hareet Shukla announced that approximately 73.73 lakh names have been removed from the state’s draft electoral roll.
This Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which commenced on 27 October 2025, has brought the total voter count down to 4.34 crore from an initial 5.08 crore. The exercise aimed to eliminate duplicate entries, deceased individuals, and those who have permanently migrated.
While the cleanup ensures a transparent voting process, the Election Commission has opened a window for public objections until 18 January 2026. This allows any accidentally excluded citizens to re-enrol before the final list is published, ensuring that the democratic rights of every legitimate voter are strictly protected.
Electoral Roll Gujarat
The Special Intensive Revision is a vital tool used to maintain the sanctity of India’s democratic process. Over years of demographic shifts, electoral rolls often become cluttered with “ghost voters” or redundant entries that can potentially lead to electoral malpractice.
In Gujarat, this particular revision was the first of its kind in many years to be conducted with such depth and technological assistance. By cross-referencing death certificates and using door-to-door verification, Booth Level Officers aimed to create a list that reflects the actual ground reality.
This background work is essential for political parties and candidates to understand their true constituency and for the government to plan electoral logistics efficiently.
Nearly 74 Lakh Voters Deleted
According to the official data released by the Chief Electoral Officer, the 7.37 lakhs deletions include 1.7 lakhs deceased voters and nearly 3.5 million voters who have shifted residences permanently. Additionally, 2.1 million entries were identified as duplicates or repeat entries.
Hareet Shukla stated that the objective was to achieve a “one person, one vote” standard across the 182 assembly segments. The gender ratio in the draft roll has also seen a slight improvement, now standing at 934 females per 1,000 males.
This comprehensive audit ensures that the upcoming elections are contested on a fair playing field where every vote counted belongs to a verified and living resident of the state.
Ensuring Inclusion
Despite the necessity of the cleanup, the sheer scale of the deletion has raised questions about potential accidental exclusions. To address this, the Election Commission has established a robust grievance redressal mechanism.
Citizens can visit designated polling stations or use the Voter Helpline App to verify their status. Special camps will be held on weekends throughout December and January to assist those who need to re-apply.
Officials have clarified that the deletion was not an arbitrary process and followed strict guidelines, including issuing notices where necessary. The transparency of this objection window is crucial for building public trust, as it provides a safety net for any genuine voter whose name might have been removed.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that a clean electoral roll is the backbone of a vibrant and honest democracy. While we laud the Election Commission’s dedication to accuracy, we also stress the importance of extreme caution during such massive deletions.
In a country as vast as ours, administrative errors can inadvertently silence the voices of the most marginalised citizens. We encourage the people of Gujarat to take this opportunity to check their names and ensure their right to vote remains intact. Democracy is a participatory journey that requires both an efficient administration and an alert citizenry.
