Full Breakdown
Manipur’s Final Electoral Rolls Released After Special Intensive Revision
9/6/2026, 9:20:48 PM
Background of the Special Intensive Revision
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was undertaken across 19 states and Union Territories, including Manipur, to update voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. In Manipur, the revision began with 20,93,076 electors recorded on May 18, 2026. Enumeration forms were generated for all listed electors; 19,34,399 forms were returned, while 1,58,677 forms were not received and therefore excluded from the draft roll.
Roll Revision Process and Numbers
- Draft roll publication: The draft electoral roll containing 19,34,399 voters was published on July 5.
- Claims and objections: From July 5 to August 4, a total of 96,985 claims and objections were filed and processed.
- Additions and deletions: After processing, 56,871 electors were added to the roll and 30,650 were deleted from the draft list.
- Final roll: The final photo electoral rolls, released on September 6, 2026, list 19,60,620 eligible voters, representing a 6.33 % reduction from the pre-revision total.
Gender and Third-Gender Composition
The final roll shows 10,06,962 female voters and 9,53,350 male voters, yielding a gender ratio of 1,056 females per 1,000 males. Additionally, 308 electors are recorded under the third-gender category.
Official Statements from the Chief Electoral Officer
State Chief Electoral Officer Arun Kumar Sinha confirmed that the final roll complies with Election Commission of India instructions. He noted that the reduction reflects the exclusion of 1,58,677 electors whose enumeration forms were not returned, categorised as follows: 72,473 shifted, 43,000 deceased, 34,740 absent, 7,394 duplicate entries, and 1,070 other reasons. Sinha also reported an electoral participation ratio of 51.99 %.
Concerns from Kuki-Zo Communities
During the SIR process, Manipur’s Kuki-Zo groups voiced fears that community members displaced after the ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023 might be removed from the voter list. The groups sought assurances that displaced residents would retain voting rights, highlighting the broader anxiety that the roll revision could affect electoral representation for vulnerable populations.
Impact and Significance
The deletion of approximately 1.85 lakh voters (including 1,32,456 in Manipur) has raised concerns about potential disenfranchisement, especially among displaced communities. While the official process aims to eliminate duplicate, deceased, or otherwise ineligible entries, the substantial reduction underscores the importance of accurate enumeration and transparent grievance mechanisms to maintain confidence in the electoral system.
Timeline of Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2026 | Roll revision began with 20,93,076 electors recorded. |
| July 5 | Draft electoral roll of 19,34,399 voters published. |
| July 5 – August 4 | 96,985 claims and objections filed and processed. |
| September 6, 2026 | Final photo electoral rolls released, listing 19,60,620 voters. |
| May 3, 2023 | Ethnic conflict erupts, prompting Kuki-Zo concerns about roll deletions. |
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All consulted sources report identical figures for the final roll (19,60,620 voters), the number of additions (56,871), and deletions (30,650). No discrepancies were identified regarding these core statistics. However, detailed breakdowns of the “logical discrepancies” category and the outcomes of individual hearings are not fully disclosed, leaving a gap in public understanding of specific eligibility determinations.
