Full Breakdown
Punjab’s Special Intensive Revision Cuts 13.6 Lakh Names from Voter List
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Core Event – Final Rolls Published After SIR
On October 12 2026 the Election Commission of India released the final electoral rolls for all 117 Punjab Assembly constituencies. The rolls list 2,01,00,727 eligible electors, a 6.3 % reduction from the pre-revision total of 2,14,61,043. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) removed roughly 13.60 lakh names classified as permanently relocated, absent, deceased or duplicate entries.
Background & Context – Nationwide SIR and Legal Challenges
The SIR is a nation-wide exercise to purge outdated entries and add eligible citizens. The Supreme Court upheld its legality in May 2026 but said the Election Commission cannot decide on citizenship. Opposition parties and civil-society groups have protested, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. An investigation published on September 23 2026 revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected 14 times to poll-panel decisions related to the revision.
Timeline of the Punjab Revision
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 14 2026 | Notification to commence SIR in Punjab (Phase III). |
| June 25 2026 | Field work begins with house-to-house enumeration. |
| August 3 2026 | Enumeration ends; Booth Level Officers collect forms. |
| August 13 2026 | Draft roll published with 1,93,94,435 names. |
| September 12 2026 | Claims and objections period closes. |
| October 8 2026 | Notice-and-disposal phase concludes. |
| October 12 2026 | Final rolls released, incorporating SIR adjustments. |
| October 1 2026 | Qualifying date for service-voter summary revision. |
Data & Statistics – Voter Numbers Before and After
- Pre-revision (June 9 2026): 2,14,61,043 electors.
- Draft roll (Aug 13): 1,93,94,435 (? 9.6 % drop).
- Final roll (Oct 12): 2,01,00,727 (net 3.64 % increase over draft).
- New electors added: 7,97,263.
- Names deleted: ? 13.60 lakh.
- Notices issued: 35,49,036; 86,038 marked ineligible after verification.
Official Statements & Responses – Party Praise and CEO Explanation
Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra called the SIR “smooth and well-coordinated,” noting that notices were served, objections heard, and errors rectified with assistance from Block Level Assistants appointed by parties. Representatives of the ruling AAP, the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP thanked Mitra for handling the revision. AAP spokesperson Ferry Sofat highlighted the party’s queries and praised the execution.
Criticism & Opposition – Concerns Over Process and CEC
Student activists and opposition leaders have rallied in Delhi demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar resign, arguing the revision could disenfranchise voters. The September 23 investigation cited by The Indian Express noted the 14 objections by Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi, suggesting some decisions were taken without their knowledge. Reports also claim that deletions have been used in some states to deny ration cards and passport renewals, raising broader concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Varying Figures on Deletions
Most outlets report 13.60 lakh names removed from the final roll, while The Tribune states the draft roll deletion figure reached 20.66 lakh before adding 7.06 lakh new voters. The discrepancy reflects different presentations of net change versus intermediate deletions, with no definitive reconciliation available.