Over 1.85 lakh voters struck off rolls in Manipur, Sikkim

Electoral rolls in Manipur and Sikkim have undergone significant corrections, with over 1.85 lakh voters removed following a special summary revision of the electoral register. The deletions represent 6.3 per cent of Manipur's electorate and 11.2 per cent of Sikkim's voters, according to official records from the ongoing revision process.

The removals in Manipur have triggered apprehension among Kuki-Zo communities, who fear that conflict-related displacement may have contributed to the deletion of their names from voting lists. The northeastern state has experienced sustained ethnic tensions that have displaced thousands of residents, complicating efforts to maintain accurate electoral records. Local groups have expressed concern that eligible voters from affected areas may have been inadvertently removed without proper verification.

Electoral data from Manipur reveals demographic shifts in voter composition, with women constituting a larger proportion of the remaining registered voters than men. This pattern reflects broader participation trends in the state's electoral process.

The special summary revision is a periodic process undertaken by electoral authorities to update and correct voter rolls by removing duplicate entries, deceased voters, and those who have relocated. However, the scale of deletions in both states has drawn scrutiny regarding verification procedures and their impact on voter accessibility, particularly in regions affected by conflict and displacement.