The first phase of Odisha’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has resulted in the deletion of more than 20 lakh voter names from the draft list released on July 5. Among Assembly constituencies, Malkangiri recorded the highest number of deletions, while Ganjam topped the district-wise list.
Malkangiri Registers Highest Constituency-Wise Voter Deletions
Malkangiri, the southernmost Assembly constituency in Odisha, recorded 27,653 voter deletions, the highest among all Assembly segments in the state during the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The deleted names account for 10.96% of the constituency’s electorate. Before the revision exercise, Malkangiri had 2,52,147 registered electors.
The constituency is home to a significant number of settlers who migrated from Bangladesh during the early 1950s and the mid-1980s. These families were rehabilitated by the Odisha government through the establishment of special villages.
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More Than 20 Lakh Voters Removed Across Odisha
According to the draft SIR report published on July 5, more than 20 lakh voters were removed from Odisha’s electoral rolls.
The state’s total electorate declined from 3,33,99,591 before the revision to 3,13,87,034 after the draft exercise.
Among the deleted names:
- 8.32 lakh voters (2.49%) were reported as deceased.
- 10.07 lakh voters (3.02%) were either absent or had shifted from their registered locations.
Ganjam Tops District-Wise Deletions
At the district level, Ganjam recorded the highest number of deleted voters with 2,07,626 names removed.
The district is known for sending a large number of migrant labourers to different parts of India and abroad. Cuttack followed with 1,55,164 voter deletions.
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Several Assembly Constituencies Witness Large-Scale Deletions
The draft report shows that nine Assembly constituencies registered more than 20,000 voter deletions each.
More than half of these constituencies are identified as migration-prone regions.Out of Odisha’s 147 Assembly constituencies, 40 recorded deletions exceeding 15,000 voters.
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Opposition Questions Draft Electoral Roll
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) challenged the findings of the first phase of the SIR on Sunday (June 5, 2026).
The party claimed that 27 lakh voters had been removed from the electoral rolls, contrary to the officially stated figure of over 20 lakh.
The Congress also raised concerns regarding the large number of voter deletions in the draft list.
Election Officials Respond to Concerns
Responding to the criticism, Sushanta Kumar Mishra, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, said irregularities were identified during the first phase of the revision.
He stated that names of deceased electors had to be removed, while 10.07 lakh voters were found to be absent or had shifted to different locations.
Addressing concerns over missing names, Mishra said:
“All those whose names did not find a place in the draft report will be provided adequate opportunities for appeal.”
Conclusion
The first phase of Odisha’s Special Intensive Revision has significantly reduced the state’s voter list, with over 20 lakh names removed from the draft electoral roll. While officials attribute the deletions to deaths, migration, and absentee voters, opposition parties have questioned the scale of the exercise. Authorities have assured that affected voters will have sufficient opportunities to file appeals before the electoral rolls are finalised.
