The large-scale revision exercise led to the deletion of around 77 lakh names from the rolls, while approximately 9.5 lakh new electors were added.
The contraction in the voter base follows two phases of verification. When the draft rolls were published last December, about 73.7 lakh names had already been removed after updating mortality records, migration data and correcting improper registrations.
Subsequently, a further 3.9 lakh names were deleted before the publication of the final electoral rolls.
Interestingly, between the draft and final publication, the electorate recorded a modest expansion of 1.3 per cent, largely driven by the inclusion of first-time voters.
Gujarat SIR: Reasons for Deletions
Officials identified several key reasons behind the large number of deletions:
- Around 40 lakh voters were found to have permanently shifted from their registered addresses.
- Approximately 18 lakh individuals were confirmed deceased.
- Nearly 9.8 lakh voters could not be traced at their listed addresses.
- Around 3.8 lakh cases involved duplicate voter identification cards.
- A further 1.9 lakh names were removed for other administrative reasons.
After objections and additional verification following the draft roll publication, another 3.9 lakh names were struck off the final list.
Gujarat SIR District-Wise Highlights
Ahmedabad remains the district with the highest number of voters in Gujarat. The final rolls show 49.1 lakh electors, up from 48 lakh in the draft list. The district also recorded the highest number of additions, with 1.5 lakh new voters enrolled.
In percentage terms, Dang district registered the highest proportional increase at 2.15 per cent. However, its total voter base remains relatively small at 1.9 lakh.
Other districts recording notable percentage growth include:
- Porbandar (2.1 per cent)
- Jamnagar (2 per cent)
- Botad (1.9 per cent)
- Chhota Udepur (1.9 per cent)
- Gandhinagar (1.8 per cent)
Urban Centres See Movement
Major urban centres such as Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot reported substantial additions, reflecting both internal migration and increased youth enrolment.
Surat added around one lakh new voters while also removing 85,734 names, the highest number of deletions among cities.
Inputs from TOI
