Telangana Draft Electoral Roll: Notices to Nearly 93 Lakh Voters as Over 73 Lakh Names Removed
Election authorities in Telangana are set to issue formal notices to nearly 93 lakh voters following the publication of the draft electoral rolls for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR-2026). The draft list reflects the removal of more than 73 lakh entries, reducing the total registered voting population in the state to 2,64,87,213.
What Happened
Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on the conclusion of the enumeration phase, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy announced the publication of the draft electoral rolls. The review identified 92,87,577 electors who submitted their enumeration forms but require further verification. This figure includes 60,50,918 voters flagged for logical discrepancies or anomalies, alongside 32,36,659 individuals who had not submitted their information dating back to the 2002 SIR.
Simultaneously, the administration removed 73,39,235 names under the ASDD classification—covering Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate entries. Officials confirmed that this deletion exercise was conducted with the consent of political party representatives and Booth Level Agents.
Key Highlights
- Total Voter Count: Following the draft revision, Telangana’s registered electorate stands at 2,64,87,213.
- Notice Distribution: Exactly 92,87,577 electors will receive notices through their respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
- Deletions Categorised: Among the 73,39,235 deleted entries, 45,18,963 were marked as permanently shifted, 11,25,546 as absent or untraceable, 9,22,229 as deceased, 6,70,203 as duplicate records, and 1,02,294 as ‘Others’ without a recorded explanation.
- Verification Machinery: A total of 119 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), supported by 892 Assistant EROs and an additional 500 to 1,000 deployed EROs, will scrutinise responses.
- Verification Target Date: Administrative reviews and hearings must be completed before October 15, 2026.
Why This Matters
The scale of the revision directly impacts the composition of the electorate across Telangana. Electors who receive a notice must submit a formal response through their designated Booth Level Officer to prevent omission from the final voter list. For those whose entries have been eliminated under the ASDD list, immediate remedial pathways are necessary to restore their voting eligibility.
What to Watch Next
Voters can inspect their names on the Election Commission of India’s portal or verify their records via SMS to 1950. Those listed on the published ASDD register have until September 16, 2026, to file objections and claims. Electors whose entries were deleted also have the choice to register again by submitting Form 6 alongside the required declaration form before the October 15, 2026 verification deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can voters check if their names are in the draft rolls?
Citizens can review the draft rolls online at the official Election Commission of India website (voters.eci.gov.in) or send an SMS to 1950 typing ‘ECI ‘ to access their registration details.
What should electors who receive a notice do?
Electors receiving a notice must submit their response in the prescribed format through their local Booth Level Officer. If questions persist, the ERO or Assistant ERO may contact the voter, and personal hearings may be scheduled if deemed necessary by the officer.
Can someone whose name was deleted re-apply?
Yes. Citizens whose names were removed have the option to apply afresh by submitting Form 6 together with the prescribed declaration form, or file claims and objections regarding the ASDD list prior to September 16, 2026.
Source: Press conference statements and data released by Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana C. Sudarshan Reddy, reported by The Hindu.