Draft Electoral Rolls Record Electors Increase Across Nine Regions Following Election Commission Revision

NEW DELHI — Draft electoral rolls published across nine states and Union Territories have recorded an increase in total electors ranging from 0.1% to 3% compared to the final rolls compiled under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) held in 2025–26.

The figures emerged on Thursday following the release of draft voter lists as part of the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) initiated by the Election Commission. The poll panel had deferred its regular January schedule for the revision exercise to accommodate the ongoing SIR process before officially announcing the SSR on October 15 for 17 states and Union Territories.

According to the data released, Goa registered the highest jump among the reporting regions with an increase of 3% in its total number of electors. Rajasthan followed with a 2.22% rise. Increases were also recorded in Bihar and Tamil Nadu at 1.8% each, Manipur at 1.7%, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh at 1.5% each, and Puducherry at 1.3%. Lakshadweep recorded the lowest increase among the group at 0.1%. Consolidated details for the remaining jurisdictions within the initial 17 states and UTs were either unavailable or had their draft publication dates postponed to later in the month.

The revision exercise is being conducted under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The Election Commission stated that the revision aims to facilitate the enrolment of eligible voters with reference to the qualifying date of January 1, 2027. It also allows authorities to seek advance applications for three subsequent qualifying dates: April 1, July 1, and October 1, 2027.

The electoral roll revision process is being rolled out in phases across the country. On November 4, the Election Commission announced the SSR schedule for six additional states and Union Territories.

However, the poll panel noted that schedules for states and UTs where the SIR is currently underway or has recently concluded—including Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, NCT of Delhi, Tripura, and Telangana—will be announced at a later date. Similarly, the revision schedule for Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh, where the SIR has not yet commenced, will be determined in due course, keeping local weather conditions in view.