- EC Roll Revision Plan
- Opposition Alleges Conspiracy
- Poll Outcomes Under Cloud
Article Today, Hyderabad:
Even before the election schedule is announced, voter roll politics has triggered sharp political reactions across several States. The has decided to undertake special intensive revisions of electoral rolls, a move that has drawn criticism from opposition parties. They argue that the exercise could lead to large-scale disenfranchisement and influence electoral outcomes. The Commission, however, insists that the process is part of routine electoral maintenance. Now, that situation is set to arise in Telangana as well.
Telangana in Focus
During his visit to Hyderabad, Chief Election Commissioner announced that a special summary revision of voter lists would soon be carried out in Telangana. Addressing booth-level officers at Ravindra Bharathi, he said each officer would be responsible for around 930 voters on average. Officials noted that similar revisions are already underway in 12 States, with Telangana expected to be included in the next phase. Political estimates suggest that over 60 lakh voter names could be removed, raising widespread concern.
Allegations of Targeted Deletions
Opposition parties allege that the revision exercise is being selectively implemented. According to them, areas where the faces strong opposition are more vulnerable to deletions. They argue that the timing of the exercise, close to elections, adds to suspicions about its intent. Election officials, however, deny any political bias and say established procedures will be followed.
Tamil Nadu Precedent
The debate has been intensified by developments in Tamil Nadu, where nearly 97 lakh voter names were removed during a recent revision. The total electorate reportedly declined from 6.41 crore to 5.43 crore. Large urban centres such as Chennai and Coimbatore accounted for a major share of these deletions. Political observers have described the scale of the exercise as unusual, with official explanations failing to convince critics.
Tensions in West Bengal
In West Bengal, the removal of about 58 lakh voters from the rolls has sparked strong political backlash. Chief Minister accused the Commission of acting under political pressure. She alleged that genuine voters were being excluded under the guise of identifying illegal migrants. The controversy has added to political tensions in the State ahead of elections.
Gujarat Argument
Even in Gujarat, a traditional stronghold of the BJP, reports indicate that nearly 73 lakh voter names were deleted. Opposition leaders argue that these figures are being cited to project neutrality, while deletions on the ground disproportionately affect communities perceived as less supportive of the ruling party. The Commission maintains that the process is uniform across States.
Doubts Over Independence
Meanwhile, questions are being raised about the institutional autonomy of the Election Commission. Critics say the objection process places an unrealistic burden on ordinary voters. Senior opposition leaders, including , have accused the Commission of functioning under political influence. The Commission has not issued a detailed response to these allegations.
Stakes for Democracy
With elections approaching in several States, concerns over voter roll revisions are expected to grow. Analysts note that even small changes in voter lists can influence closely fought contests. Therefore, large-scale deletions risk eroding public trust in the electoral process. Protecting voter rights has emerged as a central democratic challenge in the current political climate.
