Uttar Pradesh Voter List Revision Cuts 20.4 Million Names: Women Disproportionately Affected, Lucknow Records Highest Deletions

Lucknow: A large-scale Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh has resulted in the removal of 20.4 million (2.04 crore) voters, significantly reducing the total electorate in the state.

According to the final figures released by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the total number of registered voters has dropped from 154.4 million (15.44 crore) to 133.9 million (13.39 crore).

Out of the revised electorate, 73 million (7.30 crore) are male voters, while 60.9 million (6.09 crore) are female voters. Men now constitute 54.54 percent of the electorate, compared to 45.46 per cent women.

Notably, the revision exercise witnessed a relatively higher deletion of female voters’ names, raising concerns regarding gender representation in the updated rolls.

Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa informed the media at Lok Bhavan on Friday that the Special Intensive Revision process led to a reduction of 13.24 percent in the total number of voters.

The enumeration phase of the revision exercise was conducted between November 4, 2025, and December 26, 2025.

During this period, approximately 28.9 million (2.89 crore) names were identified as belonging to deceased persons, duplicate registrations, or individuals who had permanently migrated, and were therefore removed from the rolls.

A draft electoral list containing 125.5 million (12.55 crore) voters was published on January 6, 2026. Subsequently, from March 6 onward, citizens were invited to submit claims and objections.

Authorities issued notices to 10.4 million (1.04 crore) individuals whose details could not be verified and to 22.2 million (2.22 crore) voters whose entries contained logical discrepancies.

After hearings and verification proceedings were completed by March 27, the final list reflected a net reduction of 20.4 million voters.

Region-wise analysis reveals that the highest number of deletions occurred in the western region of Uttar Pradesh, where 6.925 million (69.25 lakh) voters were removed from the rolls.

The central region of the state witnessed deletion of 5.978 million (59.78 lakh) names, followed by eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal), where 4.89 million (48.90 lakh) voters were removed.

Bundelkhand recorded the lowest number of deletions, with 692,000 (6.92 lakh) names removed from the voter list.

Among administrative divisions, Lucknow division recorded the highest number of deletions, with approximately 2.04 million (20.40 lakh) names removed.

Meerut division ranked second with 2.068 million (20.68 lakh) deletions, followed by Kanpur division with 1.575 million (15.75 lakh).

The fewest deletions were recorded in the Chitrakoot division, where around 306,000 (3.06 lakh) names were removed. Bareilly division stood fifth, with 1.378 million (13.78 lakh) deletions.

At the district level, Lucknow recorded the highest number of deletions at 914,000 (9.14 lakh).

Other districts witnessing significant reductions include Prayagraj with 826,000 (8.26 lakh), Kanpur with 687,000 (6.87 lakh), Agra with 637,000 (6.37 lakh), and Ghaziabad with 597,000 (5.97 lakh) names removed.

Additional district-level data indicate that 351,000 (3.51 lakh) voters were removed from Azamgarh, 341,000 (3.41 lakh) from Ballia, and 197,000 (1.97 lakh) from Mau.

In the Lucknow division, deletions include 291,000 (2.91 lakh) voters from Unnao, 246,000 (2.46 lakh) from Raebareli, 453,000 (4.53 lakh) from Sitapur, 396,000 (3.96 lakh) from Hardoi, and 338,000 (3.38 lakh) from Lakhimpur Kheri.

The completion of the Special Intensive Revision marks a major update to Uttar Pradesh’s electoral database, aimed at eliminating inaccuracies such as duplicate entries and records of deceased or relocated voters.

However, the relatively higher deletion of female voters may prompt further scrutiny regarding enrolment patterns and verification mechanisms in the state’s electoral process.