Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Jairam Ramesh Warns Roll Revision Delay Could Exclude Young Voters
Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, says some young people may not get onto voter lists in time for upcoming state elections.
He says the yearly process for updating voter lists has been delayed.
That process can add people who have just become old enough to vote.
Ramesh says another kind of voter-list check in some states does not explain why the yearly update has not happened elsewhere.
He pointed to Uttar Pradesh and Goa, where he says the check is finished but new lists have not been published.
The Election Commission offers a form for people to register and says voters can make claims or objections.
It has also ordered special drives to help find eligible voters left off lists.
The dispute is about how to make sure eligible people can vote.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that delaying the annual Special Summary Revision could leave first-time voters off electoral rolls.
He said the Election Commission had frozen the process since January 2024 and that timely revision helps enrol newly eligible voters.
Ramesh argued that Special Intensive Revision in 19 states and Union Territories did not explain the absence of annual revision in 16 others.
He specifically cited Uttar Pradesh and Goa, saying the SIR had finished there but fresh electoral rolls had not been published.
The Election Commission provides Form 6 registration and says claims, objections, and special enrolment drives are available to eligible voters.
- Who
- Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Ramesh alleged that delaying the annual electoral-roll revision could prevent newly eligible young voters from being enrolled in time.
- When
- Ramesh made the allegation on Saturday; the concern relates to Assembly elections expected in several states in early 2027.
- Where
- India, with Ramesh specifically citing Uttar Pradesh and Goa.
- Why
- Ramesh says annual roll revision is important for enrolling first-time voters before elections.
Ramesh's concerns
Election Commission procedures
Risk of young voters being left off rolls
Ramesh's concerns
Ramesh alleged that delaying the annual SSR could keep first-time and Gen Z voters from being enrolled in time.
Election Commission procedures
The Election Commission provides Form 6 registration and mechanisms for claims and objections, and has ordered special drives to identify and assist eligible voters left out.
Whether SIR explains the lack of SSR
Ramesh's concerns
Ramesh argued that SIR in 19 states and Union Territories does not explain the absence of SSR in 16 others.
Election Commission procedures
The article describes the Commission as undertaking SIR on different schedules and with different qualifying dates; it does not report a direct Commission response to Ramesh's allegation.
- Annual revision
- Special Summary Revision (SSR) is the annual electoral-roll revision process.
- Ramesh's allegation
- He said the Chief Election Commissioner had frozen the SSR process since January 2024.
- States and Union Territories cited
- Ramesh said SIR was ongoing in 19 states and Union Territories, while SSR was absent in 16 others.
- Uttar Pradesh and Goa
- Ramesh said SIR had been completed in both, but fresh electoral rolls had not been published.
- Registration facility
- The Election Commission's electoral services portal provides Form 6 for new voter registration, including for people who are 18 or will shortly turn 18.
- Election timeline
- Assembly elections are expected in several states in early 2027.