‘Last-minute rush’ in filing forms for adding names in poll rolls raises questions

Concerns arise over a last-minute surge in electoral roll applications in Tamil Nadu, prompting questions about potential irregularities.

A case of “last minute rush” in the submission of forms for inclusion of names in the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has cropped up in the course of a comparative perusal of data furnished by election officials in Tamil Nadu, leaving room for suspicion about stuffing of the rolls.

This can be gauged from the perusal of the releases issued by the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on January 30, the last day for the submission of claims and objections, and February 23, when the final rolls were published. The submission of forms began on December 19.

According to the January 30 release, the total number of applications received for inclusion under Form 6 or 6A was about 16.7 lakh and for deletion, 1.4 lakh. The release in question captured the status as at 8 p.m. on January 29.

However, the February 23 release stated that 27.53 lakh eligible electors were added, and 4.23 lakh ineligible persons were deleted. This led to the question whether the authorities, on a single day (January 30, 2026), received at least 10.8 lakh applications for addition and 2.8 lakh applications for deletion, let alone those applications that could have been turned down.

Asked for reaction, CEO Archana Patnaik told The Hindu on Tuesday that there was no question of stuffing of the rolls as a number of senior officials were drafted to ensure that the process went off smoothly and properly. Moreover, the instructions of the Election Commission of India at the start of the SIR were “quite clear”.

As for an abnormal increase in the number of applications, Ms. Patnaik said the final figure of inclusion encompassed applications received before the process, which began on October 27, 2025, with the freeze on the inclusion and deletion of names. It also covered about 5.73 lakh applications received online, in addition to those received by booth-level officials.