The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi to address concerns expressed by the AAP and the BJP about the updating of electoral records in the National Capital Territory (NCT). It urged the Delhi election administration to “scrupulously” follow the process of deleting and revising electoral rolls.
The central election body also conveyed the BJP’s representation to the Delhi CEO, urging that the names of illegal and temporary migrants, as well as ‘ghost’ voters, be removed during the 2025 special summary revision (SSR). It also reminded the CEO of a submission from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that had earlier been shared with the Delhi CEO regarding the “threat of mass voter deletion” in the state.
Earlier this month, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of planning a massive voter suppression campaign ahead of the approaching Delhi elections early next year. He claimed that the BJP is actively targeting AAP supporters by filing applications with the Election Commission to remove their names from the voting lists. Other APP leaders corroborated the charges.
Meanwhile, the BJP has underlined the need to eliminate illegal migrants and ghost voters, emphasizing the need for accurate voter registration. In response, the ECI has emphasized rigorous respect for statutory restrictions and Commission directives throughout the revision process.
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) must verify every voter deletion that exceeds 2% at a polling station, especially if the same individual lodges objections more than five times. This step is meant to ensure transparency and accountability in electoral roll updating, and the Commission has urged the CEO to implement it.
Furthermore, the poll body recommended that Claims and Objections lists be shared on a regular basis with all political parties, as well as uploaded to the CEO Delhi’s website, in order to increase openness in the process.To strengthen the integrity of the electoral system.