SIR verification higher in minority-dominated Delhi constituencies

Most minority-dominated assembly constituencies in Delhi have recorded higher verification of registered voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), with Seelampur reporting the highest rate at 76.6%. The trend could mean fewer deletions from the electoral rolls in these areas.

Verification rates across other constituencies have been mixed. Several outer Delhi seats, including Rohini (83%), Shakur Basti (81%) and Mangolpuri (78%), have also recorded high verification. In contrast, some upscale constituencies, including R K Puram (44.5%) and Kasturba Nagar (44%), have seen significantly lower verification.

Seelampur was followed by Matia Mahal with 75.5% verification, Babarpur at 72.9% and Mustafabad at 71.9%. In Old Delhi, Ballimaran recorded 67.3%, while Chandni Chowk stood at 60.9%.


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Okhla was a notable exception among minority-dominated constituencies, with only 54.6% of existing voters verified. Officials attributed the lower figure possibly to higher migration in the constituency.

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An official said that during the enumeration period from June 30 to August 18, most minority constituencies showed greater participation in the SIR process, with some aware locals helping residents complete and submit their forms on time. The official said similar enthusiasm was absent in several predominantly upscale constituencies.

Officials attributed the higher verification rates in minority-dominated areas to several factors, including “extensive awareness efforts by locals; in many areas locals turned tutors and volunteers explained the process to people through videos and also through physical meetings”.

Delhi has 70 assembly constituencies and 1.45 crore registered voters. Of these, 97.5 lakh voters had submitted their details by August 17, the last day for filing enumeration forms. Nearly 33% of the electorate did not submit their forms for various reasons, with officials saying the primary reason was that many voters had shifted from their registered addresses.

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Around 47.6 lakh voters are likely to be excluded from the draft electoral roll when it is published on August 24. Voters whose names are left out will have an opportunity to file claims and objections between August 24 and September 23.

Across Delhi, verification ranged from 52.1% in Tughlakabad to 83.4% in Rohini. Uttam Nagar, which has several unauthorised colonies, recorded 77.7% verification, while Narela, Bawana and Madipur in outer Delhi each crossed 76%.

On the other hand, several middle-income constituencies in South and Central Delhi recorded some of the lowest verification rates. Kalkaji recorded 57.2%, Badarpur 57.3%, New Delhi 58.2%, Jangpura 58.4%, Mehrauli 58.9%, Sangam Vihar 59.2%, Patel Nagar 59.2% and Karol Bagh 59.5%.

Poll officials also attributed the differences to ground-level factors, including migration patterns and a lack of interest among some voters, particularly those living in upscale colonies.

One registered voter told TOI that he could not get his name added because he “struggled to complete the SIR process because the BLO was unavailable, paperwork was all over the place, and poll officials said his photograph was not matching”.