India electoral roll revision removes millions of names, raising disenfranchisement fears

Millions of voters in India have had their names removed from draft electoral rolls as part of a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, raising concerns among activists and affected residents.

In New Delhi, where around one-third of the electorate has reportedly been removed from draft lists, marginalized residents say they are struggling to prove their eligibility because they lack the required documents.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says the revision is intended to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits go to legitimate citizens. Activists, however, warn that the process could disproportionately affect poorer residents and potentially jeopardize access to subsidized food, pensions and other government benefits.

More than 130 million names have reportedly been deleted nationwide since the process began in Bihar.

Al Jazeera's Um-E-Kulsoom Shariff reports from New Delhi, India.

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