The Election Commission has released the final voter list on Monday (23 February 2026) regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted in Tamil Nadu. Names have been deleted on a large scale in the SIR conducted in the state. According to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, 7,40,7207 names have been removed from the final voter list. After the removal of these names, the total number of voters in Tamil Nadu has now become 5,67,07,380. Before the start of the SIR process, 6,41,14,587 voters were registered in the state.
Names of lakhs of voters were deleted
Election officials clarified that a significant portion of the removed names were of dead voters. Eligible voters whose names have been removed due to various reasons can apply again through Form-6. Apart from this, notices were issued to 12,43,363 people. Those who had mistakes in their names were also directed to submit documents and self-declaration certificates within the stipulated time to retain their names in the voting list.
Election Commission followed SC’s instructions
The Election Commission also followed the January 30 instructions in the reconsideration process, which were issued as per the order of the Supreme Court. It mandated that names be released publicly along with reasons for removal due to controversy or inconsistent information. These lists were released in Gram Panchayat offices, public places, block and sub division offices and ward offices in urban areas.
Chennai | Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu, Archana Patnaik says, “As per the direction of the Election Commission of India, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls, 2026 was conducted in the State of Tamil Nadu from 27.10.2025 to 23.02.2026. As on… pic.twitter.com/YNODMY3bCB
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2026
10 days time to file objection
Under the SIR process, affected persons have been given 10 days time to file objections or clarifications. Before SIR, the number of voters in the state was 6.41 crore. Meanwhile, during the second phase of SIR, about 8 per cent of voters were removed from the voter rolls in 9 states and union territories. A total of 9,44,211 voters were registered in the final voter list of Puducherry published on February 14.
