The total number of voters in the Union Territory has dropped to 9.18 lakh at the end of the enumeration phase, compared with 10.21 lakh as of October 27. Officials said over 80,000 voters have permanently shifted or were found to be absent, while 20,798 names were removed after the electors were found to be deceased.More than 1.03 lakh names are missing from Puducherry's revised voter list, according to the draft electoral rolls published on December 16 by District Election Officer A Kulothungan, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The total number of voters in the Union Territory has dropped to 9.18 lakh at the end of the enumeration phase, compared with 10.21 lakh as of October 27. Officials said over 80,000 voters have permanently shifted or were found to be absent, while 20,798 names were removed after the electors were found to be deceased.
Clarifying the process, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Puducherry, told Hindustan Times that no name can be deleted from the draft rolls published on December 16 without prior notice and a speaking order by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant ERO. Aggrieved voters can appeal to the District Magistrate and subsequently to the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
"The Commission reiterates its firm commitment to a transparent, participative and inclusive revision process, ensuring that no eligible elector is left out and no ineligible name remains in the electoral rolls," the CEO told HT.
According to the CEO's office, 1,03,467 enumeration forms out of 10,21,578 distributed could not be collected due to reasons such as death, migration, duplication or non-submission. The Ozhukarai assembly constituency recorded the highest number of uncollectible forms at 6,139, while Bahour reported the lowest at 1,651.
The CEO added that 80,645 electors were found to have shifted or were absent during the verification process. Eligible voters whose names are missing can still apply for inclusion during the Claims and Objections period from December 16 to January 15, 2026. The final electoral rolls will be published on February 14.
The revision exercise also found 2,024 voters enrolled at multiple locations. "The names of electors found enrolled in more than one place will be retained only at a single location," the CEO said.