Odisha electoral roll deletion has come under scrutiny after reports revealed that nearly 9.8 lakh names were removed during the pre-SIR mapping exercise conducted between January and March. Odisha Chief Electoral Officer RS Gopalan has ordered a suspension of scrutiny of nearly two lakh Form-7 applications following these concerns.
Reports indicate that several affected voters still live in their constituencies despite losing their names from the rolls. Officials received a large number of complaints, including cases where eligible voters remained present but officials removed their names. In several instances, booth-level officers (BLOs) failed to complete proper field verification.
Officials confirmed that they received a large number of complaints, including cases where eligible voters remained present but their names were deleted. In several instances, booth-level officers (BLOs) allegedly failed to complete proper field verification.
Following these concerns, the CEO’s office directed Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to physically verify at least 50% of the disputed cases and ensure that all procedures are followed before confirming any deletions.
CEO RS Gopalan stated that around 7–9 lakh deletions occur every year due to reasons such as death, relocation, or duplication. However, the higher number this year has raised concerns about the verification process.
Verification Orders, Political Reactions, and Next Steps
Officials clarified that BLOs cannot remove names directly and must obtain Form-7 confirmations from family members or neighbours. In cases involving deaths or suspected duplicate entries, officials must issue notices and follow due process before taking action.
Authorities also directed officials to examine complaints carefully. If officials find any deletion incorrect, they must restore the voter’s name quickly. Officials now aim to correct errors linked to Odisha electoral roll deletion before the next phase begins.
BJP MP Manas Mangaraj also raised concerns, stating that eligible voters’ names are being wrongly struck off during the ongoing elector mapping. He said such a large number of deletions demands transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the process.
The SIR exercise, initially scheduled to begin on April 1, has been postponed due to elections in five states and is now expected to start in May. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting the Special Intensive Revision in phases to update electoral rolls by adding eligible voters, removing names of the deceased or relocated individuals, and correcting records.
Earlier phases, completed or ongoing until February 2026, covered Bihar and 12 other states and Union Territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, with final voter lists published on February 7, 2026.
Data from several states has indicated that Muslim voters were disproportionately affected by deletions, particularly in Muslim-majority areas.
In the next phase, the ECI has directed 22 states and Union Territories, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Jammu & Kashmir, to prepare for the SIR. The exercise, originally planned for April 2026 after Assembly elections on April 29, is now expected to begin in May across many regions.
