Tamil Nadu's draft voter list was published on Friday, post-SIR. Although having a smaller population than West Bengal, the names of more than 97 lakh voters have been dropped in Tamil Nadu. According to Election Commission sources, the voter list previously contained the names of 6 crore 41 lakh voters. After the draft list was published, the number of valid voters stands at 5 crore 43 lakh.
Reasons for exclusion
The Election Commission claims that this massive number of voters have been dropped from the list for various reasons, including death, relocation, and registration at multiple locations. The Commission's draft list has stirred up Tamil politics.
According to Commission sources, among the 97 lakh dropped from the draft, 27 lakh voters are dead. 66 lakh voters have moved from their addresses to other locations. The names of approximately 3.4 lakh voters have been cancelled due to being registered at multiple addresses.
Chennai ranks first, Coimbatore second
According to the draft list, the highest number of voters has dropped from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. From the city alone, 14.25 lakh names have been dropped. Among these, 1.56 lakh are 'dead' voters, and more than 12 lakh people have reportedly relocated their residences. The 22 assembly constituencies in Chennai now have 26 lakh voters.
According to the draft data, the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency is second on the list of the highest number of dropped names. Of the 97 lakh dropped, 6.5 lakh are voters from Coimbatore alone. This Lok Sabha constituency contains six assembly constituencies, of which five are currently held by the opposition AIADMK and the sixth is held by their alliance partner BJP. In Karur, which made headlines due to actor Vijay's rally stampede, 79,690 voters have been dropped.
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However, the Commission has announced that there is an opportunity for those whose names have been mistakenly dropped or who still need to get their names added to the list. The Commission has stated that this correction process will run from December 19, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Within this period, genuine voters can apply for re-enrollment with appropriate proof.
