In a recent update, the draft electoral rolls set to be published in Delhi on August 24 indicate that over thirty per cent of voters in 47 out of the city’s 70 Assembly constituencies are likely to be excluded. This alarming statistic is part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), as reported by the Delhi electoral authority. Significant variations in voter exclusion are apparent among different constituencies, ranging from approximately twenty per cent to nearly fifty per cent.

In constituencies predominantly inhabited by minority populations, the projected exclusion rates range from twenty to forty per cent. Overall, more than 4.7 million of Delhi’s total electorate of 14.5 million are expected to be classified as “uncollectable” in the upcoming draft. This classification pertains to voters whose enumeration forms were either not submitted or who have been marked as absent, moved, deceased, or duplicates.

Details of the Verification Process

The verification exercise initiated on June 30 concluded on August 17, involving on-ground assessments by booth-level officers who distributed enumeration forms to the voters. Reportedly, over sixty-seven per cent of these forms have been submitted and digitised using the SIR mobile application issued by the Election Commission. Only two constituencies, Rohini and Shakur Basti, recorded digitisation rates of over eighty per cent, suggesting that one in five voters in these areas may be left off the draft rolls.

Conversely, Tughlakabad reported the lowest digitisation rate at fifty-two per cent, leading to nearly forty-eight per cent of its voters being at risk of exclusion. Other affluent areas like New Delhi, RK Puram, Malviya Nagar, and Greater Kailash also showed substantial exclusion rates, ranging from thirty-five to forty-four per cent.

Furthermore, several areas in South and Southeast Delhi registered low digitisation figures, including Kasturba Nagar at fifty-five point ninety-seven per cent, RK Puram at fifty-five point fifty-four per cent, and Okhla at fifty-four point sixty-seven per cent. However, this data does not neatly mirror either economic status or demographic divisions, as some constituencies with informal settlements recorded relatively high digitisation rates.

Impact Across Various Constituencies

Among constituencies populated by minority communities, Okhla experienced the highest exclusion rate at approximately forty-five per cent. In contrast, other similar constituencies such as Seelampur, Matia Mahal, and Mustafabad exhibited lower exclusion levels, ranging from twenty-three to thirty-nine per cent. Thirteen constituencies are expected to have exclusion levels between forty to fifty per cent, while thirty-four are forecasted to show rates between thirty to forty per cent. In addition, another twenty-one constituencies may experience exclusion rates from twenty to thirty per cent.

This issue appears to cut across various areas of Delhi, including affluent neighbourhoods, unauthorised colonies, and resettlement areas, highlighting a more complex pattern than previously understood. Voters who have been marked absent or shifted will have the opportunity to file claims and objections once the draft rolls are published on August 24. The window for submitting claims will remain open until September 23, with poll officials set to resolve these applications between August 24 and October 22.

The finalised electoral rolls for Delhi are planned for publication on October 27. Among the constituencies that the Aam Aadmi Party secured in the 2025 Assembly elections, Seelampur had the highest digitisation rate at seventy-six point sixty-three per cent. Conversely, Tughlakabad showed the lowest rate among AAP-held seats at fifty-two point fifteen per cent.

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