Mon Feb 02 20:30:37 UTC 2026: # Mass Voter Deletion Allegations Rock Gujarat Ahead of Elections

The Story:
Allegations of mass voter deletion through fraudulent Form 7 submissions have surfaced in Gujarat, casting a shadow over the integrity of the upcoming elections. Voters are claiming their names, phone numbers, and EPIC details were misused to file applications for deletion from electoral rolls, often without their knowledge or consent. Opposition parties accuse the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the scheme to target opposition and minority strongholds, while the BJP denies any involvement.

The controversy unfolds amidst the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with discrepancies emerging between initial reports of nearly a million deletion applications and later, significantly lower figures released by election officials. The situation has sparked outrage and demands for investigation, threatening to undermine public trust in the electoral process.

Key Points:

  • Numerous villagers in Anand, Gujarat, allege that their names were fraudulently submitted on Form 7 applications for deletion from electoral rolls.
  • Voters claim their personal information was misused, and signatures forged on the applications. Some were allegedly misled into signing forms under the pretense they were for voter inclusion.
  • Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accuse the BJP of orchestrating the mass submissions to target specific demographics.
  • The Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines state that more than five objections by a single individual require mandatory scrutiny.
  • Discrepancies exist between initial figures of deletion applications (988,621) and later figures (183,235) released by election officials.
  • The electoral rolls in Gujarat saw a reduction of nearly 74 lakh voters as part of the SIR in December 2025.
  • Similar incidents involving bulk Form 7 applications have surfaced in Rajasthan, specifically in Barmer.

Critical Analysis:
The surfacing of similar issues in both Gujarat and Rajasthan, particularly concerning bulk Form 7 submissions, suggests a potentially coordinated strategy. The relatively close timing of these reports (February 2, 2026) heightens suspicion that these are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a larger, potentially politically motivated, effort to manipulate voter rolls across multiple states.

Key Takeaways:

  • The allegations of mass voter deletion raise serious concerns about electoral integrity in Gujarat.
  • The contradictory figures released by election officials require immediate clarification and investigation.
  • The coordinated nature of allegations across states, combined with the proximity to elections, warrants a thorough national-level inquiry.
  • The use of deception and forgery to submit Form 7 applications constitutes a serious violation of electoral laws.
  • The incident highlights the need for stricter verification processes for Form 7 submissions and greater transparency in the SIR exercise.

Impact Analysis:

The allegations, if substantiated, could have significant long-term impacts on:

  • Public Trust in Democracy: Undermining faith in the fairness and integrity of elections.
  • Electoral Outcomes: Potentially altering the results of elections by disenfranchising targeted voter groups.
  • Social Cohesion: Exacerbating existing social divisions if specific communities are disproportionately affected.
  • Legal and Electoral Reform: Prompting calls for reforms to strengthen voter registration processes and prevent future abuses.
  • Political Polarization: Intensifying political tensions between the ruling and opposition parties, leading to increased instability.

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