📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Politics
Maharashtra CEO says 2.07 crore voters not permanently excluded from rolls
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 31 Aug 2026, 02:03 PM
👁 3
The state's Chief Electoral Officer cautioned that the 2.07 crore voters removed from the electoral list can still be reinstated, rejecting the notion of permanent exclusion.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) clarified on Saturday that the 2.07 crore voters who were removed from the electoral roll during the recent Special Incremental Register (SIR) exercise should not be regarded as permanently disenfranchised. The CEO emphasized that the removal was procedural and that affected voters retain the right to be re‑entered once verification is completed.
The statement comes amid widespread speculation that the large number of deletions could translate into a permanent loss of voting rights for millions of citizens. The CEO urged political parties, civil society groups and the public to avoid drawing premature conclusions and to cooperate with the Election Commission's ongoing verification drive.
Election officials have indicated that the verification process will involve cross‑checking identity documents and residence proofs, after which eligible voters will be restored to the roll before the next scheduled elections. The CEO assured that no voter will be denied the franchise without due process.
Stakeholders were asked to submit any grievances through the official channels provided by the Election Commission, ensuring that the restoration exercise proceeds transparently and efficiently.
The statement comes amid widespread speculation that the large number of deletions could translate into a permanent loss of voting rights for millions of citizens. The CEO urged political parties, civil society groups and the public to avoid drawing premature conclusions and to cooperate with the Election Commission's ongoing verification drive.
Election officials have indicated that the verification process will involve cross‑checking identity documents and residence proofs, after which eligible voters will be restored to the roll before the next scheduled elections. The CEO assured that no voter will be denied the franchise without due process.
Stakeholders were asked to submit any grievances through the official channels provided by the Election Commission, ensuring that the restoration exercise proceeds transparently and efficiently.