ELECTION COMMISSION PUTS A BRAKE ON VOTER DELETION DRIVE, IMPOSES STRICT LIMITS ON FORM 7 FILINGS
October 10, 2026
The Election Commission of India has introduced limits on applications seeking the deletion of names from electoral rolls, responding to multiple complaints about the alleged misuse of Form 7 during voter-list revision exercises.
In a circular issued to chief electoral officers on Friday night, the Commission stipulated that an individual may submit no more than 10 Form 7 applications during the entire claims-and-objections period of a revision exercise. When no revision exercise is underway and electoral rolls are being updated continuously, the limit will be five applications per person per month.
The Commission has separately prescribed limits for booth-level agents (BLAs) representing recognised political parties during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). These agents may submit applications in bulk, but the number is restricted to 50 forms per day before publication of the draft electoral roll and 10 forms per day thereafter.
The circular also directs electoral registration officers (EROs) to scrutinise applications carefully before acting on requests for voter deletion. Under Rule 17 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, claims or objections that are not submitted within the prescribed period or in the required form and manner must be rejected.
The Commission has emphasised that applicants must provide complete information in Form 7 and sign the document personally at the designated place. A stamp bearing an applicant’s signature cannot substitute for an original signature, the circular states.
Electoral registration officers have also been instructed to verify the authenticity of applicants by checking the details provided against the electoral rolls. The requirements are intended to strengthen scrutiny and ensure that deletion requests comply with the prescribed procedures.
The new restrictions come amid mounting concerns over the use of Form 7 to seek the removal of voters’ names, particularly during contentious electoral-roll revision exercises. By limiting the number of applications individuals and political-party agents can submit and tightening verification requirements, the Commission has sought to curb potential misuse while maintaining the established process for claims and objections.
