Can A Software Really Strike Off Your Name? Voter Deletion Process In India Explained

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 13:40 IST

Rahul Gandhi claims votes were deleted at scale using software. Here’s the step-by-step process the law requires before any voter’s name can be struck off the rolls

The EC underlined that voter roll deletions are governed by law, not by technology. (Representative image)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharpened his attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of shielding what he calls “vote thieves.” At a press conference on Thursday, he claimed that during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, thousands of Congress supporters’ names were targeted for deletion through a centralised, software-based operation.

In Aland constituency alone, he said nearly 6,000 names were picked out by a programme that automatically used the “first voter in every booth” to impersonate an applicant seeking deletions. He paraded on stage both a voter whose name was attempted to be deleted and the neighbour whose details were misused, both of whom denied filing any request.

Gandhi argued that the same system was being used in multiple states. In Maharashtra’s Rajura constituency, he alleged 6,815 names were fraudulently added, suggesting the software was capable of both deletions and additions. He said the method was not limited to Karnataka and Maharashtra, but extended to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Gandhi demanded that the Election Commission release within a week the data on mobile phones and OTPs used in these applications.

What The Election Commission Said

The ECI categorically denied Gandhi’s allegations. It said no deletion of votes can be done online “as misconceived by Rahul Gandhi.” Portals and apps only allow applications to be filed, which then go through scrutiny. It stressed that no deletion can take place without issuing a notice and giving the voter an opportunity to be heard.

On the Aland case, the Commission clarified that it was the poll body itself that flagged anomalies in 2023 and lodged an FIR. It pointed out that the Congress in fact won the Aland seat in 2023, undercutting claims of systematic targeting.

The EC underlined that voter roll deletions are governed by law, not by technology.

So What Is The Process Of Voter Deletion?

The Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 lay down the framework for how a voter’s name can be removed from the rolls. The process is designed to prevent misuse and ensure that no one loses their vote without being informed or given a chance to contest it.

1. It begins with Form 7: If someone wants a voter’s name deleted, or objects to an entry in the electoral roll, they must submit Form 7 to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). This form is also used by voters themselves if they have shifted to another constituency. It requires key details such as the constituency name, the voter’s EPIC number, the reason for seeking deletion, and the applicant’s own details and signature. Once submitted, the local Booth Level Officer (BLO) issues an acknowledgement.
2. Valid grounds for deletion are limited: The law specifies only a handful of reasons: the voter has permanently shifted to another constituency, is not found at the registered address, has been entered twice, has died, or is not an Indian citizen. Deletions cannot be sought on arbitrary or political grounds.
3. The ERO then scrutinises the request: Every application is entered into official records. If a form is incomplete or defective, it can be rejected at the preliminary stage itself.
4. The voter must be given notice: If a deletion is proposed, the ERO is required to serve a notice to the voter, specifying the date, time, and place of a hearing. This notice can be delivered personally, by registered post, or by affixing it at the person’s residence.
5. Verification happens on the ground: A BLO visits the address in question to check whether the voter is still living there, has passed away, or if the entry is a duplicate. The findings are reported back to the ERO.
6. The matter goes to a hearing: Both the applicant who sought deletion and the voter whose name is under question have the right to be heard. The ERO may ask for documents, demand personal appearance, and even record statements under oath before taking a decision.
7. The ERO then passes an order: After considering the evidence, the ERO either rejects the application or approves the deletion. If approved, the name is struck off and reflected in the next updated roll.
8. There is also a right to appeal: A voter who believes their name has been wrongly deleted can challenge the ERO’s order. They can also apply afresh for inclusion by filing Form 6 with proof of residence and identity. False declarations made in a Form 7 application are punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Can A Neighbour Delete Your Vote?

Legally, any elector in the same constituency can file Form 7 objecting to another voter’s name. But this does not automatically delete the vote.

The ERO is required to issue notice, carry out verification, and provide a hearing before passing any order. Without these steps, a deletion is unlawful. Filing a false application is a punishable offence.

Can A Software Or Automation Strike Off Votes?

Rahul Gandhi has alleged that thousands of applications were filed through an automated system using fake mobile numbers and OTPs. However, under the rules:

• Online portals only accept applications; they cannot delete names on their own.
• Each case still requires verification and a hearing.
• Even in cases of suspected bulk manipulation, the ERO must follow due process.
• If software-driven impersonation were attempted, it would amount to fraud and criminal conspiracy, but would not itself bypass the legal safeguards.

Software can flood the system with applications; it cannot, by itself, erase names from the rolls.

The Bottom Line

Deleting a voter’s name in India is not a one-click process. Whether initiated by a neighbour or through an online application, the law requires scrutiny, notice, field verification, and a hearing before any name is struck off. Fraudulent applications can be filed, as Rahul Gandhi alleges, but these by themselves cannot remove a voter from the rolls. Any attempt to bypass due process is unlawful and punishable.

About the Author

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More

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