Pune: EC Clarifies Procedure for Removing Names from Voter List Amid Allegations
Pune, 14th August 2025: Amid allegations of large-scale voter list deletions in favour of the ruling BJP, the Election Commission of India (EC) has reiterated that the removal of any voter’s name must strictly follow due process.
As per EC guidelines—shared in a response to an RTI query—names can only be deleted under specific circumstances, such as double registration, change of address, or death.
The Commission outlined the mandatory steps as follows:
Form 7 Requirement: A deletion process begins only when an application in Form 7 is submitted.
Prior Notice: The concerned voter must receive a registered letter (Format 1) informing them of the proposed removal.
Response Period: The voter is given 15 days to respond and present their case.
Field Verification: If there is no response, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) must personally visit and verify the address. Deletion can proceed only after the BLO’s report, even in the absence of Form 7.
Deceased Voters: In such cases, the BLO must verify in person, and deletion is carried out based on Form 7 along with the verification report.
Sajek Nagrik Manch president Alhed Velankar has urged citizens whose names have been removed to demand proof that these procedures were followed. The issue gained momentum after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that names of living voters were being deleted by falsely marking them as deceased, accusing the EC of acting under political pressure—charges the ruling BJP has denied.
While the opposition and ruling party continue to trade accusations, the EC maintains that voter list deletions can only occur in full compliance with the prescribed process.
