No deletion during pre-SIR mapping phase without notice: Delhi CEO

Revision of electoral roll is a continuous process throughout the year on the basis of forms-6, 7, and 8 recieved, the Delhi CEO said in a statement. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu Voters reported as having shifted from their registered addresses during the pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping exercise in Delhi between January and June were identified on the basis of reports submitted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashok Kumar’s office said on Tuesday (September 8, 2026), stating that no name was deleted without an inquiry and an opportunity for the elector to be heard.The statement was issued to clarify the deletions reported during the pre-SIR mapping period. “Revision of electoral roll is a continuous process throughout the year on the basis of forms-6, 7, and 8 recieved. Also, prior to start of SIR, BLOs visited electors to assist them in mapping as part of pre-revision activity. During this, pre-revision mapping, voters found shifted from their registered address were reported by BLOs,” the statement read.The Hindu reported on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) that 10.28 lakh net deletions were carried during the pre-SIR mapping phase, accounting for 93% of the 11.03 lakh decline in Delhi’s electoral roll between 2025 and those frozen before SIR began.At the time of Assembly elections in February 2025, Delhi’s electorate stood at 1.56 crore voters. This had dropped to 1.45 crore by June 16 this year, when the electoral roll was frozen.“In each and every such case, notices were issued to the person at their registered address through speed post as per ECI guidelines,” the office said, adding that sufficient time was given to attend the hearing. It said a name could not be deleted without conducting an inquiry and providing a “fair and reasonable opportunity” to the person concerned, as required under election laws and ECI instructions.The CEO also said monthly lists of additions, deletions and modifications were published on its website. This list, however, does not carry the reason of deletion. The electoral roll used for SIR with 1.45 crore elector was also not published in the public domain. Published - September 09, 2026 12:00 pm IST