70L voters deleted without explanation during SIR: Economist Surjit Bhalla
What's the story
Economist Surjit Bhalla has estimated that around 70 lakh eligible voters were deleted without explanation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The figure is a fraction of the 13.37 crore names removed, which has sparked a political debate. Most deletions, Bhalla argues, were justified as they included deceased voters, those who had moved away, duplicate entries and untraceable individuals.
Deletion breakdown
Deletions made before claims and appeals were heard
The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported 13.37 crore names were deleted across three phases of the SIR.
Of these, 7.22 crore were deleted in Phase II (Bihar and 12 other states/UTs) and 6.15 crore in Phase III (17 states).
Bhalla's analysis shows these deletions were made before claims and appeals were heard, including 2.8 crore deceased voters, 6.3 crore who relocated, one crore duplicate entries, and three crore untraceable individuals.
Voter estimation
Bhalla's benchmark for clean electoral roll
Bhalla estimates India's adult population at 100.8 crore by mid-2026 but says not all adults are registered voters.
He uses the ECI's pre-SIR data to estimate a non-registration rate of about 8.5%.
This brings his benchmark for a clean electoral roll to around 92.2 crore names.
In nine large states with final SIR rolls, he estimates a shortfall of approximately 73 lakh from this benchmark.
Historical comparison
Past discrepancies in electoral rolls
Bhalla compares the current controversy to past discrepancies in electoral rolls.
After the 2004 revision, the roll had 2.8 crore more names than the estimated adult population, an excess of 4.4%.
In 2014, it was 3.1% higher than the adult population.
Despite these discrepancies, there were no allegations of manipulation by the ECI at that time.
Process concerns
Concerns about SIR execution and documentation requirements
While Bhalla acknowledges the challenges of compiling accurate voter lists, he also raises concerns about how the SIR was conducted.
He notes criticism over its speed and documentation requirements for poor and migrant voters and notices issued over so-called "logical discrepancies"
In West Bengal, he estimates around 50 lakh eligible voters were removed without explanation, about 6-7% of its adult population.
The state's electoral roll declined by 11.6%, with Bhalla estimating a clean roll should have around 7.33 crore names.
Roll surplus
'The roll needed cleaning'
In Bihar, Bhalla estimates the final roll has around 60 lakh more names than necessary due to migrant workers. He concludes by saying, "The roll needed cleaning."
While most deletions were justified, he points to poor execution of the exercise.
The ECI received appeals for restoration of deleted names; around 93% found voters eligible according to Bhalla's account.
However, only a small fraction had been decided at the time of his analysis.
Twitter Post
Surjit Bhalla's thread on justified/unjustified voter deletions
13 crore "deleted voters"? The data say about 70 lakh eligible voters removed without adequate explanation, where SIR is final. 7 of every 8 removals were justified. Much Ado About (Almost) Nothing. A thread
— Surjit Bhalla (@surjitbhalla) October 17, 2026