Delhi removes 4.76 million names from voter rolls as 250,000 Form 6 applications filed

Massive roll‑back in Delhi’s voter list

The draft electoral roll for Delhi, released on 31 August, deleted 4.76 million names – roughly one‑third of the capital’s 14.5 million‑strong electorate, according to the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi. The revision, part of the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) programme, targeted entries flagged as absent, shifted, dead or duplicate (ASDD).

Form 6 applications lag behind deletions

Between 31 August and 22 October the CEO’s office recorded 250,754 Form 6 applications. The figure includes both first‑time voters and people whose names were removed in the SIR. An earlier batch of 212,400 Form 6s had been received before the draft roll was published. The total of just over a quarter‑million applications is a small fraction of the 4.76 million deletions.

District‑wise response

West Delhi led the filing of new applications with 30,361 forms, followed by North West Delhi (25,925) and East Delhi (24,200). New Delhi district recorded the lowest uptake – 4,341 forms – while Old Delhi and Central districts each saw around 10,700 applications. The CEO’s office noted that roughly 50 % of the fresh applications are from first‑time voters.

Special camps and on‑ground outreach

The Election Commission announced a series of special camps to assist voters across the country. Delhi’s first camp was held on 20 September; by 22 October a total of 89,000 camps had been organised nationwide. The CEO’s office said booth‑level officers are visiting localities to identify residents whose names vanished from the draft roll and to facilitate their enrolment via Form 6.

“We have held over 89,000 special camps but still the numbers are low. This indicates that the ASDD list was compiled with due process,” said an official who preferred not to be named.

Timeline to the final roll

The claims and objections window closes on 30 October. All applications must be disposed of by 30 November, after which the final roll will be published on 4 December. Voters who wish to object to inclusion can file Form 7, while changes to details are handled through Form 8.

Why the revision matters

The SIR exercise is aimed at ensuring the electoral roll reflects the current resident population, a cornerstone of the country’s democratic infrastructure. By removing duplicate or outdated entries, the Election Commission seeks to enhance the credibility of future elections while offering a clear pathway for genuine voters to re‑register.

Looking ahead

If the current pace of Form 6 filings continues, the majority of the 4.76 million deleted names will remain off the final roll. Officials stress that the ongoing outreach and special camps are designed to bridge that gap before the December deadline, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to an accurate and inclusive voter register.