Draft Voter List to be Released in Uttar Pradesh Today After Special Intensive Revision; Nearly 2.89 Crore Names May Be Removed. Voters Can File Claims or Objections Until February 6th. Lucknow Likely to See the Highest Number of Names Removed.
SIR in UP: The process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will be completed in Uttar Pradesh today, following which the draft voter list will be released. The Election Commission will publicize figures related to this list through a press conference in Lucknow at 3:00 PM. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa will inform the media about the changes made in the draft voter list.
The draft voter list is considered extremely important for preparations for upcoming elections. It will clarify who is on the voter list and who needs to file a claim or objection.
Large-Scale Removal of Names Likely in Draft Voter List
According to sources in the Election Commission, a total of 15.44 crore voters were registered in Uttar Pradesh until now. After the SIR process, only approximately 12.55 crore voters will be included in the draft voter list. This means that the names of around 2.89 crore voters are likely to be removed from the list.
The main reason for this is the need to remove the names of deceased, transferred, duplicate, and absent voters to make the list clean and error-free.
Reasons for Voter Name Removal
The Election Commission stated that the main categories of voters whose names have been removed from the list include:
- Those who have passed away.
- Voters who have permanently moved to another district or state.
- Voters registered in multiple locations, with their names appearing in more than one place.
- Voters who did not fill out the Enumeration Form.
- Voters who have been absent for a long time and could not be verified at the given address.
The Election Commission says that removing these names was necessary to maintain the accuracy of the voter list.
Notices to be Sent to Nearly 1 Crore Voters
A significant figure has emerged during the SIR process. The mapping of approximately 1 crore voters could not be completed. Notices will be sent to such voters by the respective Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). After receiving the notice, the voter will have to submit documents related to their identity and address within a specified timeframe.
The Election Commission has already determined a list of 12 valid documents. A photocopy of any one of these documents, along with a signature, will have to be submitted. If the documents are found to be correct, the voter's name can be added back to the list.
Claims and Objections to be Filed by February 6th
As soon as the draft voter list is released, the process of filing claims and objections will begin. Voters can register their objections regarding their names or file a claim to add names that have been mistakenly removed until February 6th.
The Election Commission has set the following timeline for this process:
- Claims and Objections: Today to February 6th.
- Disposal of Claims-Objections: February 7th to February 27th.
- Publication of Final Voter List: March 6th.
Officials say that every claim and objection will be investigated fairly.
Highest Number of Names Likely to be Removed in Lucknow
The state capital, Lucknow, is likely to see the highest number of names removed from the draft voter list. According to district figures, approximately 12 lakh voters may be removed from the list.
According to the District Election Officer, 4.57 lakh voters were not found at the given address, 1.27 lakh voters have died, 5.39 lakh voters have shifted to another assembly or district, and many voters refused to fill out the enumeration form. Their names have been removed from the draft list for all these reasons.
Details of Old Voters
Election officials have stated that the names of voters or their parents who were registered in the 2003 voter list have been kept safe. The mapping of their names has already been completed. However, voters or their parents whose names were not found in the 2003 list will be sent notices and given an opportunity to submit documents.
Check Your Name on the Website This Way
After the draft voter list is released, voters can easily check their name, assembly constituency, polling station, and other details by visiting the official website of the Election Commission. If anyone has a complaint about an error in their name or it being missing, they can file an objection online or offline.
Today, at 3:00 PM in Lucknow, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa will hold a press conference. During this, he will share the final figures of the draft voter list, the reasons for name removal, the future process, and important instructions for voters. Political parties and general voters are closely watching this press conference.
