Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Election Chief Defends Voter Roll Revision Amid Political Criticism
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar defended a project to check and update voter lists.
He spoke during a visit to Gujarat.
The project is called the Special Intensive Revision.
Officials compare voter names with older records to find outdated entries and spelling differences.
Kumar said people can request corrections through a mobile application.
He said booth officers should handle valid requests within seven days.
He rejected claims that the project was meant to change voter turnout figures unfairly.
He also encouraged everyone aged 18 or older to register and vote.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar defended the integrity of the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Kumar said historical data helps remove outdated entries and resolve name discrepancies across identity documents.
He said a mobile-based fast-track process allows booth-level officers to address legitimate corrections within seven days.
Kumar rejected claims that the revision artificially increased voter turnout percentages and cited zero appeals after the latest exercise.
During his Gujarat visit, Kumar urged eligible citizens to register, vote and participate actively in democracy.
- Who
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Kumar defended the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and addressed criticism of the process.
- When
- During Kumar’s two-day visit to Gujarat, including a speech on Thursday.
- Where
- At an Ahmedabad Management Association event and other locations in Gujarat.
- Why
- To explain the voter-roll cleanup process, reject claims of manipulation and encourage voter participation.
Critics of the Revision
Election Commission Position
Effect on turnout figures
Critics of the Revision
Critics argued that removing voters during roll cleanup could artificially increase voter turnout percentages.
Election Commission Position
Gyanesh Kumar rejected the claim and pointed to voluntary turnout in recent assembly elections as evidence of voter trust.
Integrity of the process
Critics of the Revision
Political criticism raised concerns about whether the revision could affect electoral fairness.
Election Commission Position
Kumar said the Election Commission’s procedural integrity remains firm and said zero appeals followed the latest revision exercise.
Use of historical records
Critics of the Revision
The criticism questioned aspects of the voter-list revision and its impact on existing entries.
Election Commission Position
Kumar said historical data is needed to remove outdated entries and resolve spelling discrepancies across identity documents.
- Official
- Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
- Exercise
- Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls
- Correction timeline
- Legitimate requests can be addressed within seven days through a mobile application.
- Data used
- Historical data, including older rolls and references to the Citizenship Act, is used to map names.
- Appeals
- Kumar said zero appeals were filed with district collectors after the latest revision exercise.
- Voting message
- Kumar urged every eligible citizen aged 18 or older to register and vote.
- Gujarat activities
- Kumar visited Gandhi Ashram, Adalaj Stepwell and interacted with booth-level officers and school communities.