Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Urban Migration Hinders Voter Form Collection
In many states and union territories in India, it's been harder to collect voter forms in cities than in villages.
This is because a lot of people in cities have moved to new places for work or other reasons, and they are not at home to fill out the forms.
Cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, and Patna have seen this problem.
The election officials are trying to update the voter lists to make sure everyone who should vote can, and to remove people who shouldn't be on the list, like those who have moved away or are not citizens.
This is especially important because some states are trying to stop illegal immigrants from staying in the country.
Enumeration form collection is much lower in urban areas compared to rural areas in 12 states/UTs.
Primary reasons include migration and electors not being available at home due to work commitments.
Cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, and Patna have seen significantly lower form collection.
Phase II of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) began on November 4 in these states/UTs.
The primary aim of SIR is to weed out foreign illegal migrants by checking their place of birth.
- Who
- Election officials in 12 states/UTs
- What
- Lower enumeration form collection in urban areas due to migration and work commitments
- When
- As of December 27, 2025
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh and 11 other states/UTs
- Why
- Large-scale inter-district and inter-state migration, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, and electors not being available at home due to work or professional commitments
- Total Uncollectable Forms
- 2.88 crore
- Percentage of Total Electorate
- 8.40%
- Date of Data
- December 27, 2025
- Areas Most Affected
- Urban and semi-urban areas
- Type of Migration
- Inter-district and inter-state
- States/UTs Affected
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
- Cities with Low Form Collection
- Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, Patna
- Primary Aim of SIR
- Weed out foreign illegal migrants