NEW DELHI: The opposition on Wednesday launched a broadside against Election Commission and Bharatiya Janata Party after 2.89 crore electors were deleted from the draft voter list in Uttar Pradesh after special intensive revision.Congress state president Ajay Rai called for an inquiry alleging a “big conspiracy.””The removal of 2.89 crore voters (from UP SIR draft list) is a matter of inquiry. 1.13 crore forms, which were not returned. This is a big conspiracy, and a probe should be done,” Rai said. Owaisi Calls SIR a ‘Backdoor NRC’ in Lok Sabha, Warns of Selective Religious Disenfranchisement Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also attacked BJP and termed the deletion of names from the draft list as “murder of democracy.””The worry the Congress party had expressed has proved correct. Names of around three crore voters have been removed. This is a murder of democracy,” Tiwari said.”No matter what the BJP does, it is certain that the BJP will be wiped out from UP,” it added.Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party also questioned the role of Election Commission, asserting that it must function impartiallyUttar Pradesh SP chief Shyam Lal Pal alleged irregularities during the recent elections in nine assembly constituencies in the state and said, “Recently, elections were held in nine assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. In those elections, voters were prevented from reaching the polling booths in various ways, sometimes by the police, sometimes by officials, and at several booths, it was even observed that the presiding officers themselves were casting votes at the government’s behest. This is the murder of democracy.”SP leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand also weighed in on the issue and said that his party would remain vigilant to ensure that PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) voters are not excluded from the electoral process.”Samajwadi Party has been doing the work of protecting PDA votes, and we will continue to do so. Samajwadi Party is vigilant on this issue, and we will not let PDA vote be left out,” Chand said.According to the Election Commission, about 2.9 crore electors, making up 18.7% of Uttar Pradesh’s 15.4 crore electorate, have been struck off the state’s draft electoral roll published on Tuesday.UP’s draft electoral roll published following the enumeration phase of SIR-Phase 2 lists over 12.5 crore electors; while deleting 46.2 lakh (2.99%) on account of being deceased; 2.17 crore (14.1%) for having permanently shifted or found untraceable or absent during visits by the booth level officers (BLOs); and 25.5 lakh (1.6%) for being enrolled at multiple places.Addressing the press, UP CEO Navdeep Rinwa said, “The number of enumeration forms we received was approximately 12 crore, 55 lakh. This means that this many people returned the forms signed, indicating that their names should be included in the draft list. There were 46.23 lakh such deceased voters. “There are 2.17 crore voters who have migrated, those who have shifted from their place of residence, who have left the house where they were residing when they registered their name in the voter list, and have permanently moved, or are missing or absent, or could not be found by the BLOs in the field. There were 25.47 lakh voters whose names were registered in more than one place on the voter list. In total, 2.89 crore names were not included in the draft voter list,” Rinwa added.The claims and objections period has been set for January 6, 2026, to February 6, 2026. Any existing or prospective elector may file claims or objections for inclusion of eligible electors or deletion of ineligible names.A total of 403 EROs and 2042 AEROs are in position to scrutinise such cases by February 27, 2026. In addition to that, Additional AEROs have been notified as per the requirement to dispose off the claims and objections, within the prescribed time limit.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi: 5 Cops Injured, 10 Detained As Anti-Encroachment Drive Near Mosque Turns ViolentJaishankar Expresses India’s Concern Over Venezuela, Urges All Parties To Prioritise Citizen SafetyIndia Sees Luxembourg As Key Ally In Recalibrating European Union Partnership, Says EAM JaishankarEconomist Warns India Growth Faces Global Trade Shock, Climate Risks, Fiscal Stress Ahead Of BudgetDonald Trump Says PM Modi ‘Not Happy With Me’ Over Higher Russian Oil Tariffs”BJP People Are Mute” Owaisi Targets PM Modi Over Trump’s ‘Make Me Happy’ RemarkBMC Becomes Mega Battleground As Thackerays Reunite And Alliances Shift Ahead Of Civic Wars 2026Deepam row: Piyush Goyal Accuses MK Stalin Govt Of Targeting Hindu TraditionsDonald Trump, Venezuela And India: Prithviraj Chavan’s Remark On PM Modi Kidnapping Sparks Row’Hindus Will Not Be Allowed To Stay’: BNP Candidate’s Threat Sparks Alarm Amid Bangladesh Killings123PhotostoriesAditya Dhar and Karan Johar to Sandeep Reddy Vanga and SS Rajamouli: Here’s what top Indian filmmakers are planning next after the 2025 blockbuster.Trying to help? Here’s what not to say to a new mother postpartumBaby names for the firstborn boy in the familyShimla is packed — here are 5 hill destinations Indians are choosing instead7 reasons why teens need private space—even from siblingsStones, sirens and bulldozers: Inside Delhi’s explosive midnight demolition (In photos)4 signs you were born for a spiritual missionSmriti Mandhana ditched cricket whites for this jaw-dropping jumpsuitInside Bollywood star Tara Sutaria’s beautiful Mumbai homeAkshay Kumar-Rani Mukherjee to Aamir Khan-Aishwarya Rai: Bollywood actors who never shared screen together123Hot PicksBudget 2026Venezuela NewsGold rate todayStock Market TodayCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingNikki Bella BoyfriendTommy Fleetwood and Clare FleetwoodKarl Anthony Town FianceeIndia Apache DealDelhi Air PollutionWipro Work From Office RuleMustafizur RahmanGreenland RowVenezuela Presidential Palace GunfireHouse GOP members
NEW DELHI: The opposition on Wednesday launched a broadside against Election Commission and Bharatiya Janata Party after 2.89 crore electors were deleted from the draft voter list in Uttar Pradesh after special intensive revision.Congress state president Ajay Rai called for an inquiry alleging a “big conspiracy.”“The removal of 2.89 crore voters (from UP SIR draft list) is a matter of inquiry. 1.13 crore forms, which were not returned. This is a big conspiracy, and a probe should be done,” Rai said.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also attacked BJP and termed the deletion of names from the draft list as “murder of democracy.”“The worry the Congress party had expressed has proved correct. Names of around three crore voters have been removed. This is a murder of democracy,” Tiwari said.“No matter what the BJP does, it is certain that the BJP will be wiped out from UP,” it added.Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party also questioned the role of Election Commission, asserting that it must function impartiallyUttar Pradesh SP chief Shyam Lal Pal alleged irregularities during the recent elections in nine assembly constituencies in the state and said, “Recently, elections were held in nine assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. In those elections, voters were prevented from reaching the polling booths in various ways, sometimes by the police, sometimes by officials, and at several booths, it was even observed that the presiding officers themselves were casting votes at the government’s behest. This is the murder of democracy.”SP leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand also weighed in on the issue and said that his party would remain vigilant to ensure that PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) voters are not excluded from the electoral process.“Samajwadi Party has been doing the work of protecting PDA votes, and we will continue to do so. Samajwadi Party is vigilant on this issue, and we will not let PDA vote be left out,” Chand said.According to the Election Commission, about 2.9 crore electors, making up 18.7% of Uttar Pradesh’s 15.4 crore electorate, have been struck off the state’s draft electoral roll published on Tuesday.UP’s draft electoral roll published following the enumeration phase of SIR-Phase 2 lists over 12.5 crore electors; while deleting 46.2 lakh (2.99%) on account of being deceased; 2.17 crore (14.1%) for having permanently shifted or found untraceable or absent during visits by the booth level officers (BLOs); and 25.5 lakh (1.6%) for being enrolled at multiple places.Addressing the press, UP CEO Navdeep Rinwa said, “The number of enumeration forms we received was approximately 12 crore, 55 lakh. This means that this many people returned the forms signed, indicating that their names should be included in the draft list. There were 46.23 lakh such deceased voters. “There are 2.17 crore voters who have migrated, those who have shifted from their place of residence, who have left the house where they were residing when they registered their name in the voter list, and have permanently moved, or are missing or absent, or could not be found by the BLOs in the field. There were 25.47 lakh voters whose names were registered in more than one place on the voter list. In total, 2.89 crore names were not included in the draft voter list,” Rinwa added.The claims and objections period has been set for January 6, 2026, to February 6, 2026. Any existing or prospective elector may file claims or objections for inclusion of eligible electors or deletion of ineligible names.A total of 403 EROs and 2042 AEROs are in position to scrutinise such cases by February 27, 2026. In addition to that, Additional AEROs have been notified as per the requirement to dispose off the claims and objections, within the prescribed time limit.
