Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Congress alleges voter deletions through UP electoral revision
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says changes to Uttar Pradesh’s voter lists were unfair.
He cited a report that said 2.96 crore names were removed.
He also alleged that about 16 lakh people were added without their details being made public.
Ramesh said another 85,854 forms were created to remove names and questioned whether the rules were followed.
These are allegations made by Congress, not findings established in the article.
The Election Commission has said disagreements within the commission are normal and that its orders follow the law.
Opposition INDIA bloc leaders have protested and demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
They say the voter-list process threatens democracy.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to carry out alleged “vote chori” in Uttar Pradesh.
Citing a Reporter’s Collective report, Ramesh said 2.96 crore voters were removed from Uttar Pradesh’s rolls during the revision.
Ramesh alleged that about 16 lakh voters were added through Form 6 without their details being made public.
He also claimed 85,854 pre-filled Form 7s were generated after hearings to remove names, and said the process violated rules.
The Election Commission said differences among commissioners are normal and its orders follow statutory procedures; opposition INDIA bloc leaders staged protests and called for Kumar’s resignation.
- Who
- Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of irregularities; the INDIA bloc also protested.
- What
- Congress alleged that Uttar Pradesh’s Special Intensive Revision involved mass voter deletions, suspicious additions and rule violations.
- When
- The report is dated October 9; the article also describes protests held on Thursday and over three consecutive days.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, with opposition protests also held at Rajghat in New Delhi.
- Why
- Congress and opposition leaders say the SIR process could disenfranchise voters and affect the state’s electoral mandate.
Congress and opposition allegations
Election Commission response
Voter-list changes
Congress and opposition allegations
Ramesh alleged that the SIR caused mass deletions and suspicious additions in Uttar Pradesh, and said some procedures violated rules.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission said its orders carry legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
Disagreements within the commission
Congress and opposition allegations
The article reports that two election commissioners objected on record at least 14 times over 10 months, mostly regarding SIR-related decisions and orders.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission said differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations.
- Electoral revision
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Voters reportedly removed
- 2.96 crore, according to Ramesh citing the Reporter’s Collective
- Voters reportedly added
- Around 16 lakh through Form 6, according to Ramesh
- Pre-filled Form 7s
- 85,854 reportedly generated after SIR hearings
- Congress spokesperson
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary (communications)
- Election Commission response
- It said differing views are normal and its orders follow established statutory procedures.
- Opposition action
- INDIA bloc leaders held protests, including a sit-in at Rajghat, and pledged to continue until the CEC resigns.