Archive · 4 Oct 2026
BJP Counters Congress Claims Over SIR Voter Deletions
The BJP shared a video explaining its view of a voter-list update called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
The party says about 13 crore names were marked for checking, not simply removed.
It says the names were flagged for reasons such as a person having died, moved, being away, or appearing twice.
The BJP says people can make claims or objections before final decisions are made.
It also says Form-6 was not changed and local election officials can handle voter requests.
The party accused Congress of spreading fear, while the Opposition has raised concerns about the process.
The BJP says the goal is to include voters, not exclude them.
It also says new young voters have been added to the rolls.
The article notes that the Supreme Court upheld the SIR drive in Bihar and West Bengal.
BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde shared an explainer video on X defending the Election Commission’s SIR.
The BJP says about 13 crore names were flagged for verification, not deleted, and final action follows claims, objections and appeals.
The party’s cited breakdown includes 2.6 crore recorded dead, 3 crore absent, 6.3 crore shifted and 1 crore duplicate voters.
The BJP says Form-6 was not altered and local election officials remain responsible for handling voter requests.
The BJP rejects “vote chori” claims and says 2.3 crore new Gen-Z voters have been added since the drive began.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party, represented by General Secretary Vinod Tawde, responded to allegations raised by Congress and other Opposition voices.
- What
- The BJP released an explainer defending the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision and disputing claims about voter deletions, Form-6 and vote manipulation.
- When
- The explainer was issued on Sunday; the article says the SIR drive began last year.
- Where
- The revision concerns electoral rolls in India; Bihar and West Bengal are specifically mentioned.
- Why
- The BJP said the explainer was intended to counter allegations and clarify that names were flagged for verification, not automatically deleted.
Opposition concerns
BJP response
Voter deletions
Opposition concerns
The Opposition has raised concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision and cited 13 crore voter deletions.
BJP response
The BJP says the 13 crore names were flagged for verification, not deleted, and that final decisions follow claims, objections and appeals.
Election Commission process
Opposition concerns
The Opposition has described the revision as flawed and partisan and raised concerns about changes to Form-6 and centralisation.
BJP response
The BJP says Form-6 was not altered, the additional details had approval from all three Election Commissioners and the Supreme Court, and local officials handle voter requests.
Alleged vote manipulation
Opposition concerns
The Opposition has made “vote chori” allegations and called for action over the revision.
BJP response
The BJP rejects the allegations, says the Election Commission acted within its statutory powers, and says the revision aims to include voters rather than disenfranchise them.
- BJP spokesperson
- General Secretary Vinod Tawde shared the explainer video on X.
- Names flagged for verification
- About 13 crore, in categories including deceased, absent, shifted and duplicate.
- Breakdown cited by BJP
- About 2.6 crore recorded dead, 3 crore absent, 6.3 crore permanently shifted and 1 crore duplicate.
- Party booth-level agents
- The BJP says detailed information was shared with about 20 lakh booth-level agents of all parties.
- Gen-Z voters
- The BJP says 2.3 crore new Gen-Z voters have been added since the drive began last year, bringing the total to 17.3 crore.
- States mentioned
- The article says the SIR drive in Bihar and West Bengal was upheld by the Supreme Court.