Election Commission releases draft Assam electoral rolls; over 10.56 lakh voters removed

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday released the integrated draft electoral rolls in Assam following a Special Revision exercise.

As per the draft electoral rolls, Assam now has 2,51,09,754 voters, excluding D-voters. The ECI removed more than 10.56 lakh voters from the electoral rolls.

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Of the voters deleted, 4,78,992 were marked as “dead”, 5,23,680 had shifted from their registered addresses and 53,619 were identified as “duplicate” voters.

The state currently has 93,021 D-voters or doubtful voters. In Assam, D-voters are individuals who have been disenfranchised by the government in the absence of valid citizenship credentials.

Under the Foreigners Act, 1946, individuals unable to furnish proper citizenship credentials are declared D-voters.

Such voters are not issued a voter identity card. However, their details, including name, age and photographs, continue to appear in the electoral rolls.

The integrated draft electoral rolls of Assam were published after a Special Revision exercise conducted between November 22 and December 20.

Those left out of the draft electoral rolls can submit claims and objections till January 22. The ECI will publish the final voter list on February 10.

Earlier this year, the ECI ordered a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 States and Union Territories.

However, the poll body had separately announced a non-intensive Special Revision exercise in Assam, citing the northeastern state’s special citizenship provisions under the Citizenship Act.