CHENNAI: In a major electoral cleanup, Tamil Nadu’s final electoral roll was officially released on Monday following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mandated by the Election Commission and Supreme Court. The process has resulted in the deletion of over 97 lakh names, bringing the total number of voters down to 5.43 crore.
District election officers across the state have begun sharing detailed breakdowns, with Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik set to present the figures at a press conference in Chennai. Among the deletions, a significant portion comprises deceased voters, while around 66 lakh names were removed for various reasons, including duplicates and inaccuracies.
Eligible voters whose names were struck off have been given a chance to reapply via Form 6, ensuring new and deserving individuals can join the revised list. Additionally, 12.43 lakh people received notices to correct errors in their details by submitting supporting documents and self-declaration forms within the stipulated time.
This revision adheres to the Election Commission’s January 30 directive, which required public disclosure of reasons for deletions in cases of conflicting information, as per Supreme Court orders. The lists are now displayed at gram panchayat offices, public places, block and sub-divisional offices, and urban ward offices, with a 10-day window for objections or clarifications.
The SIR drive, part of a nationwide effort, saw about 8% of voters removed in nine states and Union Territories during its second phase. In neighboring Puducherry, the final roll published on February 14 lists 9.44 lakh voters. This overhaul aims to ensure the integrity of the voter database ahead of upcoming elections, weeding out ghost entries and enhancing democratic participation.