Urban Districts Lead Deletions
Following an extensive 166-day Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Uttar Pradesh's final electoral roll reveals a notable trend: densely populated
urban districts have recorded the highest rates of voter deletions. Lucknow and Ghaziabad stand out, leading the pack with substantial decreases. Lucknow saw a remarkable 22.89% reduction, equating to 9.14 lakh voters removed from its rolls. Close behind, Ghaziabad experienced a 20.24% deletion rate, affecting 5.75 lakh individuals. These figures are in comparison to the electoral roll status from October 27, 2025, the commencement date of the SIR initiative across the state. This phenomenon suggests a significant update and potentially a streamlining of the voter registry in these key metropolitan areas, impacting their electoral landscape significantly.
Prominent Districts' Voter Reductions
Beyond the top two, several other major districts in Uttar Pradesh also registered substantial voter deletions. Kanpur Nagar is third on the list with a 19.42% reduction, removing 6.87 lakh voters. Gautam Buddha Nagar follows closely at 19.33%, with Meerut at 18.75%, Shahjahanpur at 17.9%, Agra at 17.71%, Prayagraj at 17.62%, Hapur at 17.59%, and Kannauj at 17.21%. Most of these districts are characterized by their predominantly urban nature and are considered strongholds of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Notably, Kannauj, the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, ranks tenth in terms of voter decrease, indicating a shift in its electoral demographics as well.
Rural Regions Show Lowest Deletions
In stark contrast to the urban centers, several districts in Uttar Pradesh's more rural or less densely populated regions exhibited the lowest rates of voter deletions. Lalitpur recorded the smallest decrease at just 6.66%, followed by Hamirpur at 6.88%, Pilibhit at 7.97%, Mahoba at 8.55%, and Banda at 8.86%. With the exception of Pilibhit, which is situated in central Uttar Pradesh, the other four districts are located within the Bundelkhand region. This divergence highlights a different pattern of electoral roll changes in these areas, suggesting greater stability or different demographic dynamics compared to the state's major urban agglomerations.
Key Constituencies' Electoral Shifts
Even districts associated with significant political figures and ideologies saw shifts in their voter rolls. Mathura, Ayodhya, and Varanasi, often recognized as prominent centers of the BJP's Hindutva politics, appear further down the list. Mathura registered a 13.57% decrease, Ayodhya 13.48%, and Varanasi 13.42%, placing them at 26th, 27th, and 28th positions, respectively. Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the BJP had lost the Ayodhya seat to the Samajwadi Party in the 2024 general elections. Further illustrating regional differences, the Congress strongholds of Amethi and Raebareli also show notable, albeit less pronounced, decreases, with Amethi at 32nd position (11.56% deletion) and Raebareli at 42nd position (11.56% reduction).
Assembly Segments with Major Reductions
Examining the state's 403 assembly constituencies, certain segments experienced particularly high voter deletion rates. Lucknow Cantonment stands out with the largest fall, losing 34.18% of its electors, which amounts to 1.24 lakh individuals. Following closely are Allahabad North with a 34.01% decrease and Lucknow East at 31.01%. Other constituencies with significant reductions include Agra Cantonment (30.47%), Sahibabad (30.36%), Lucknow Central (28.88%), Kalyanpur (28.03%), Meerut Cantonment (27.79%), and Kanpur Cantonment (26.59%). In total, at least 35 assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh have witnessed a reduction in their electorates by over 20%, underscoring a widespread electoral revision impacting numerous constituencies.
