Gaurav Gogoi Flags Risk of Voter Deletions During Assam Electoral Roll Revision

Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi has raised concerns over the possibility of wrongful deletion of voters’ names from the electoral rolls during the ongoing special revision of the voter list in Assam, warning that the process could affect the integrity of upcoming elections if not handled transparently.
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam, Gogoi alleged that a large number of Form-7 applications, which are used to seek deletion of names from electoral rolls, have reportedly been submitted in bulk without proper verification or complete details. He claimed that several of these forms lacked essential information such as the identity of the objector, signatures and valid reasons for seeking deletion.
The Congress leader cautioned that such irregular submissions could lead to the removal of genuine voters without due process, including prior notice or an opportunity to be heard. He urged the Election Commission to ensure strict scrutiny of all claims and objections filed under Form-6, Form-7 and Form-8 before any changes are made to the rolls.
Gogoi also called for greater transparency, seeking public disclosure of all applications received during the revision process, in line with Election Commission guidelines. He said this would help prevent misuse of the system and reassure voters about the fairness of the exercise.
The concerns come as Assam approaches the deadline for claims and objections under the ongoing revision of the electoral roll, which is being conducted ahead of future elections in the state. The final updated voter list is expected to be published next month.
Election officials have maintained that the revision process is aimed at ensuring accurate and inclusive electoral rolls and that safeguards are in place to prevent arbitrary deletions. However, Gogoi said heightened vigilance was necessary to protect voters’ rights and uphold democratic norms.
The issue has added to political tensions in the state, with opposition parties closely monitoring the revision process and demanding assurances that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.