Full Breakdown
Delhi’s Special Intensive Revision: Mechanical Notices, “VIP” Flagging and Supreme Court Scrutiny
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Mass Notices and “VIP” Flagging in the Delhi SIR
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Delhi’s electoral rolls, which began on June 30, 2026, has drawn criticism after the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued notices to roughly 33 lakh voters for “no mapping” with the 2002 roll or for “logical discrepancies.” A “Mark VIP” feature added to the booth-level officer (BLO) app on July 30, 2026 lets officials flag public representatives and other prominent personalities, retaining them in the draft roll despite earlier “uncollectable” markings.
Background & Context
The SIR aims to purge outdated or duplicate entries after more than four decades since the last intensive revision. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Electoral Roll Manual 2023, “marked electors” such as judges, elected officials and cultural figures must be kept in draft rolls to avoid wrongful deletion. The ECI’s internal term “VIP” is not in the official guidelines but was introduced to safeguard these electors.
Data & Statistics
- Draft roll published on August 31, 2026 listed 97.53 lakh electors.
- 47.56 lakh names were placed in the “Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate” (ASDD) category.
- 33.12 lakh electors received notices: 13.79 lakh for “no mapping” and 19.33 lakh for “logical discrepancies.”
- Flagged VIPs included Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, former BJP stalwart L.K. Advani, former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Official Statements & Responses
ECI senior advocate D.S. Naidu told the Supreme Court that 14,000 BLOs and 1,200 Electoral Registration Officers are deployed for the Delhi SIR and that the October 29, 2026 deadline for disposing of notices could be extended. He asserted that every notice contains a reason and that no voter will be deleted without a hearing.
The Supreme Court bench—Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana—questioned the mechanical nature of the notices and asked the ECI to define “logical discrepancy.” The Court suggested the poll body provide a Q&A format and allow responses via WhatsApp or email.
Criticism & Opposition
Civil-rights activists Anjali Bhardwaj and Amrita Johri, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, argue that the notices are “almost mechanically” generated and lack specific explanations, making it hard for voters—many of whom rely on Aadhaar—to address the discrepancies. They contend the “Mark VIP” feature gives preferential treatment, allowing flagged individuals to bypass normal verification queues. Critics note the ECI’s May 14, 2026 communication did not define “logical discrepancy” or disclose the algorithmic parameters used.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One report cites 33.96 % of the draft roll (33.12 lakh of 97.53 lakh) receiving notices; another rounds the figure to 33 lakh. The split between “no mapping” and “logical discrepancies” also varies across outlets. No public list of affected electors has been released, contrary to the ECI’s procedural guidelines dated May 14, 2026.
What’s Next
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the ECI and scheduled a follow-up hearing two weeks after September 22, 2026. The ECI must file a status report on steps taken to address “logical discrepancy” notices. All pending cases must be resolved by October 29, 2026, after which the final electoral roll is slated for publication on November 4, 2026.