Over 52,000 voters removed from Sikkim electoral rolls after special drive

A special inspection and revision (SIR) of Sikkim's voter rolls has resulted in the deletion of more than 52,000 names, the state's Chief Electoral Officer said. The final electoral roll now contains 4,18,467 eligible voters, representing a substantial decrease from the pre-SIR figure of 4,71,018 registered voters. The exercise was undertaken to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the state's voter database ahead of electoral processes. Officials did not immediately specify the exact reasons behind each deletion, though such revision drives typically target duplicate registrations, entries of deceased voters, and individuals who have relocated outside the constituency. The purge reflects efforts by electoral authorities across India to maintain clean and credible voter rolls, a process that has become increasingly scrutinized as various states undertake systematic reviews of their electoral databases. Electoral officials in Sikkim are expected to make details of the revision process available to the public, allowing voters to verify their registration status and file objections if they believe their names were removed in error.