‘Last-minute rush’ in filing forms for adding names in poll rolls raises questions

A lawsuit of “last infinitesimal rush” successful the submission of forms for inclusion of names successful the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has cropped up successful the people of a comparative perusal of information furnished by predetermination officials successful Tamil Nadu, leaving country for suspicion astir stuffing of the rolls.

This tin beryllium gauged from the perusal of the releases issued by the bureau of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) connected January 30, the past time for the submission of claims and objections, and February 23, erstwhile the last rolls were published. The submission of forms began connected December 19.

Right question

According to the January 30 release, the full fig of applications received for inclusion nether Form 6 oregon 6A was astir 16.7 lakh and for deletion, 1.4 lakh. The merchandise successful question captured the presumption arsenic astatine 8 p.m. connected January 29.

However, the February 23 merchandise stated that 27.53 lakh eligible electors were added, and 4.23 lakh ineligible persons were deleted. This led to the question whether the authorities, connected a azygous time (January 30, 2026), received astatine slightest 10.8 lakh applications for summation and 2.8 lakh applications for deletion, fto unsocial those applications that could person been turned down.

‘Clear instructions’

Asked for reaction, CEO Archana Patnaik told The Hindu on Tuesday that determination was nary question of stuffing of the rolls arsenic a fig of elder officials were drafted to guarantee that the process went disconnected smoothly and properly. Moreover, the instructions of the Election Commission of India astatine the commencement of the SIR were “quite clear”.

As for an abnormal summation successful the fig of applications, Ms. Patnaik said the last fig of inclusion encompassed applications received earlier the process, which began connected October 27, 2025, with the frost connected the inclusion and deletion of names. It besides covered astir 5.73 lakh applications received online, successful summation to those received by booth-level officials.

Tamil Nadu was among 12 States and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Kerala. and Puducherry, wherever the Election Commission conducted the SIR successful the 2nd phase. The enumeration signifier went connected from November 4 to December 14. Five days later, the draught rolls were released.