Gujarat's Electoral Rolls Set to Shrink by 14.5%: Cities Like Surat and Ahmedabad Among Hardest Hit

Image Source: Internet

Gujarat's electoral rolls are poised to decline by approximately 14.5%, from 50.8 million to 43.4 million, following the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter lists. The Election Commission's (EC) data reveals that urban hubs like Surat, Ahmedabad, and Vadodara are most likely to experience significant deletions, with potential reductions of 25.7%, 23.2%, and 18.7%, respectively. A district-wise analysis indicates that urban districts are more prone to potential deletions, with Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, and Valsad seeing the highest proportions. Conversely, rural districts such as Dang, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Tapi, and Gir Somnath have the least potential deletions, ranging from 5.5% to 8%. According to Chief Electoral Officer Harit Shukla, the SIR process has resulted in the removal of 7.3 million voters, with 1.8 million deceased, 1 million absent, 4 million migrants outside the state, and 381,470 registered in two places. Additionally, 189,364 voters were removed for other reasons. Some assembly constituencies (ACs) in Gujarat have seen a much higher share of electors potentially deleted from the draft rolls. The ACs with the highest proportion of potential deletions are Karanj, Udhna, Varachha, Limbayat, and Choryasi, where the roll might contract by 38.4%, 36.6%, 34.1%, 33.7%, and 31.7%, respectively. Residents in these constituencies, which include dense residential zones and industrial clusters, are more likely to experience frequent address changes, seasonal migration, and temporary jobs, making voter registration challenging. The constituencies with the lowest proportion of potential deletions are Tharad, Jasdan, Tankara, Dangs, and Dediapada, where the electoral roll might shrink by 4.1%, 5%, 5.3%, 5.5%, and 5.7%, respectively. In Ahmedabad district, 1.4 million names could be struck off, with Vatva recording the highest potential deletions at 114,822, followed by Vejalpur with 107,713. Ghatlodia, represented by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, recorded about 97,085 deletions. Surat came next, with 1.25 million names possibly removed, followed by Vadodara with 503,912 names, Rajkot with 335,670 names, and Bhavnagar with 228,956 names. The final electoral roll will be published on February 17, 2026, after the Election Commission verifies and disposes of all claims and objections by February 10, 2026. Voters can file claims and objections for inclusion, correction, or deletion of names until January 18, 2026.