13 Crore Names Off India's Voter Lists: What Happened, Why, and What It Means

Описание: More than 13 crore names were left off India's draft voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — more people than live in Japan. What is the revision, why were names removed, what does the Election Commission say, what have critics and the Supreme Court said, and how do you check your own name? Here are the facts.

Every figure on screen carries its source. Disputed points are attributed to whoever made them.

CHAPTERS
00:00 13 crore names
00:12 What is a voter roll revision?
00:49 How it rolled out
01:24 Why were names removed?
01:46 Draft vs final
02:09 The concerns raised
02:53 What has the Supreme Court said?
03:28 The protests
04:07 How to check your name

SOURCES
Election Commission of India data via Outlook India (13.39 crore categorised at draft stage; 95.40 crore electors scrutinised), Oct 2026
Election Commission SIR FAQ via Free Press Journal (6.3 cr shifted, 3 cr absent/untraceable, 2.8 cr dead, ~1 cr duplicates; 2.37 crore voters aged 18–28 added), Oct 2026
Constitution of India, Article 324; Representation of the People Act, 1950, Section 21
Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, via The Tribune / AIR News (Bihar draft roll), Sept 2025
Election Commission data via The Wire / The Hindu (Phases I–II: 7.22 crore at draft stage)
Deccan Herald: Phase III draft rolls (6.15 crore; Delhi 32.78%), Sept 2026
Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, via India TV / PTI (final roll, 12 Oct 2026)
PTI via Deccan Chronicle (Delhi minority-dominated and SC-reserved constituencies), Sept 2026
The Indian Express, 23 Sept 2026; Election Commission response via IANS
Supreme Court of India, ADR v. ECI, judgment of 27 May 2026 (via LiveLaw, The Hindu)
Supreme Court hearing of 5 Oct 2026 (via LiveLaw, Bar & Bench, UNI)
AFP; Khaleej Times, 11 and 14 Oct 2026 (protests, detentions, Jantar Mantar); detention total of ~10,000 is the Cockroach Janta Party's own claim
Population of Japan: UN population estimate, 2025

Check your name: Election Commission electoral search website or the Voter Helpline app. Missing? Apply with Form 6. Deadlines differ by state — check with your state's Chief Electoral Officer.

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Narration is AI-generated. Visuals are illustrations.