Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Delhi BJP Defends Electoral Roll Revision Amid Kejriwal Criticism
Delhi checked its voter list through a process called the SIR.
After the check, the draft list had nearly 47 lakh fewer names or votes.
BJP leader Harsh Malhotra said this happened because duplicate registrations were removed.
He accused Arvind Kejriwal of confusing people by criticizing the Election Commission of India.
Malhotra said political parties had representatives involved in checking voters at polling booths.
He also said people had enough time to submit forms online or through officials.
If an eligible voter’s name is missing, that person can apply again after September 1.
The Election Commission will consider claims about missing eligible voters.
Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra accused Arvind Kejriwal of spreading confusion over the Election Commission of India’s SIR exercise.
The draft electoral roll published after the SIR contains nearly 47 lakh fewer names or votes in Delhi.
Malhotra said booth-level representatives of all parties participated in the nearly four-month exercise, and the Aam Aadmi Party raised no objections during it.
He alleged that some Kejriwal supporters registered at two or three places were removed from the roll.
Malhotra said eligible voters omitted from the draft roll can apply afresh after September 1 with proof of valid Delhi voter status.
- Who
- Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal are the main political figures involved; the Election Commission of India conducted the exercise.
- What
- The dispute concerns the publication of a draft Delhi electoral roll after the SIR, which has nearly 47 lakh fewer names or votes.
- When
- The draft roll was published on Monday; omitted eligible voters can apply afresh after September 1.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- The SIR aims to ensure that each adult citizen is registered as a voter at only one place.
Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party criticism
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party defense
Assessment of the SIR
Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party criticism
Kejriwal criticized the Election Commission of India after the SIR and questioned the exercise, according to Malhotra’s statement.
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party defense
Malhotra described the exercise as transparent, said voters were given sufficient time, and defended its purpose of removing duplicate registrations.
Political participation
Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party criticism
The Aam Aadmi Party’s criticism focuses on the outcome of the draft roll, which contains nearly 47 lakh fewer names or votes.
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party defense
Malhotra said Booth Level Agents of all parties participated at the booth level and claimed the Aam Aadmi Party raised no objections during the nearly four-month process.
Missing voter names
Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party criticism
Kejriwal’s criticism implies concern about the treatment of voters during the revision, though the article does not provide his specific proposals or examples.
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party defense
Malhotra said any genuine eligible voter omitted despite submitting the required form should present the case to the Election Commission of India or apply again after September 1.
- Main spokesperson
- Harsh Malhotra, president of the Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party
- Political critic
- Arvind Kejriwal, chief of the Aam Aadmi Party
- Electoral exercise
- SIR, conducted by the Election Commission of India
- Change in draft roll
- Nearly 47 lakh fewer names or votes were recorded in Delhi’s draft electoral roll
- Duration
- The exercise continued for nearly four months
- Submission methods
- Voters could submit forms through Booth Level Officers or directly online
- Correction opportunity
- Eligible voters missing from the draft roll can apply afresh after September 1 with supporting proof