Maharashtra’s draft electoral rolls show an alarming 77.49% of voters in 38 Muslim-heavy Assembly constituencies marked ‘uncollectable’, far above the state average of 21.14%. Concentrated in dense urban areas of Mumbai and the MMR, this classification reflects missing or unsubmitted forms and raises concerns over potential disenfranchisement ahead of the final rolls.
A large number of voters have been left out of Maharashtra’s draft electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with particularly high proportions reported in densely populated constituencies across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
According to an analysis reported by Clarion India, nearly 3.75 million voters across 38 Assembly constituencies where Muslims account for more than 20% of the population were classified as ‘uncollectable’, meaning their enumeration forms had not been submitted.
The report said these voters accounted for 77.49% of the electorate in the constituencies, compared with 21.14% across Maharashtra as a whole.
The figures have drawn attention because several of the affected constituencies are among the most densely populated areas of Mumbai and the MMR.
The analysis found particularly high proportions of voters classified as ‘uncollectable’ in several Assembly constituencies.
In Bhiwandi East, the proportion was 10.49%, while it stood at 72.44% in Bhiwandi West.
Mumbra-Kalwa recorded the highest proportion among the constituencies cited, with 91.42% of voters classified as ‘uncollectable’. In Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, the figure was 31.42%.
Mumbai’s Chandivali Assembly constituency recorded a rate of 44.41%, while Sion Koliwada and Pune Cantonment also recorded rates of around 40%.
The figures indicate a substantial impact on draft electoral rolls in some of the state’s most densely populated urban constituencies.
The analysis does not, however, establish that individual Muslim voters were specifically excluded from the draft electoral rolls.
The SIR data has not been categorised by religion. Instead, the analysis focuses on constituencies where Muslims account for more than 20% of the population. The figures therefore cannot establish how many of those classified as ‘uncollectable’ are Muslims.
The data also shows that an increase in the total number of voters in a constituency does not necessarily mean that its Muslim population has increased.
Among those classified as ‘uncollectable’, the largest category comprised voters recorded as having permanently shifted, accounting for around 42.05% of the total. Another 35.59% were classified as absent or missing.
Being classified as ‘uncollectable’ at the draft stage does not necessarily mean that a voter has permanently lost the right to vote. Following publication of the draft electoral roll, eligible voters can file claims and objections to seek inclusion or correction.
Election officials have urged citizens to check their names in the draft electoral roll.
Eligible voters whose names have been omitted, or who have been incorrectly categorised as ‘absent’, ‘shifted’ or ‘dead’, can approach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to file a claim or request a correction.
The claims and objections process will determine how many names excluded from the draft roll are subsequently restored before the final electoral roll is published.
The high proportion of voters classified as ‘uncollectable’ in several densely populated constituencies, particularly in Mumbai and the MMR, is also expected to remain a significant issue as the process moves forward.
The final impact will depend on how many names are reinstated after the claims and objections are considered and the final electoral roll is published.