Uttar Pradesh Draft Electoral Roll: Why 2.89 Crore Voters Were Removed in Record Cleanup

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The Election Commission of India has officially released the UP draft voter list 2026, revealing a massive reduction of 2.89 crore names following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This cleanup, which removed nearly 18.7% of the state's previous electorate, primarily targets deceased individuals, permanent migrants, and duplicate entries to ensure "one person, one vote."

With the final list scheduled for publication on 6 March, citizens now have a critical one-month window to verify their status and prevent disenfranchisement.

Inside the Numbers: Why the Purge Hit Record Levels

This update was much stricter than usual. Officers went door-to-door across Uttar Pradesh. They could not find 2.17 crore people at their home addresses. Another 46 lakh people on the list had passed away.

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Cities like Lucknow and Ghaziabad had the most deletions. Busy workers in cities often miss the officers' visits. Right now, 12.55 crore voters remain on the list. But the job is not finished. Officials are now checking ID documents for everyone left on the roll.

How to Stay on the UP Draft Voter List 2026

There is a hidden problem for 1 crore unmapped voters. These people are on the list but lack a verified ID. If you are one of them, you will get a notice soon. You must show a birth certificate or passport to stay on the UP draft voter list 2026. You can give these to your local officer or use the online portal.

If your name was already deleted, act fast. You must submit Form 6 by 6 February 2026. This is a hard deadline. You will need strict proof of birth and parents' names. If you miss this date, you cannot vote in the next election. This is the last chance to fix your registration.

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This cleanup changes how voting works in India’s largest state. Removing fake names makes elections more honest. However, citizens must now work harder to prove they exist. The next six months will be a major test for the government's website. The 2026 elections will have a much smaller but more accurate list of voters.