A major debate has erupted over the electoral roll revision process in Nagaland after Congress leadership identified a discrepancy involving over 1.57 lakh voter records. Speaking at a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Kohima, party representatives voiced strong reservations regarding the integrity of the state's voter records under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program.
Unpacking the Electoral Roll Discrepancy Figures
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir presented the core numbers behind the dispute. He stated that while Nagaland maintains a total registered voter figure of 13,57,208, the active records with the Election Department reflect only 11,99,456 voters. This leaves an unaccounted gap of 1,57,752 voter entries requiring complete clarification.
Party leaders noted that these discrepancies span several operational categories, including untraceable individuals, voters who have permanently relocated, deceased persons, and duplicate entries from previous enrollments. The Election Department is currently conducting door-to-door verification drives to establish whether these voter entries were removed on legitimate grounds.
District-Wise Breakdowns Across Nagaland
Providing specific regional figures, AICC observer Pranav Shagotra highlighted the extent of unverified or deleted entries across multiple districts. According to the data shared, Mokokchung recorded 7,900 deleted or untraceable entries, while Zunheboto registered 11,513. Further discrepancies were flagged in Kiphire with 6,547 entries, Longleng with 3,325 entries, and Tuensang with 9,032 entries.
Shagotra argued that nationwide inconsistencies in voter rolls can significantly alter election outcomes. He emphasized that this risk is particularly acute in smaller states like Nagaland, where margins of victory are frequently thin and small numbers of contested votes can shift the final result.
Demands for Digital Access and Systemic Transparency
The conference also featured criticism directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Shagotra pointed out that the Election Commission initially failed to supply electronic voter lists despite formal requests made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He argued that access to digital records is necessary for political parties to cross-reference entries, spot duplicates, and track improper deletions efficiently.
To investigate the matter further, the Congress has deployed dedicated observers across all districts in Nagaland. These team members are examining local records to identify the structural causes behind the mismatched entries, with their final report set to be submitted to the All India Congress Committee.
Broader Political Allegations and Public Guidance
AICC observer Banna Gupta called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the BJP-led central government of wielding investigative bodies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate for political leverage. Regarding the Special Intensive Revision exercise, Gupta noted that while voter verification is intended to clear duplicate records and update details of deceased or shifted voters, the process risks inadvertently excluding genuine voters if not executed with care.
NPCC working president Khriedi Theunuo urged all eligible residents across Nagaland to verify their registration details promptly. Citing an official communication issued by the Election Office on October 12, which declared that no eligible voter should be omitted, he encouraged citizens to ensure their names remain active. The party leaders concluded by criticizing the central administration's broader policy decisions regarding public sector assets and economic governance.
