Major shift in Uttarakhand ahead of 2027 elections: over 78,000 fewer voters across six assembly constituencies
Nainital. The major changes in the voter list before the 2027 assembly elections in Uttarakhand have increased the concern of political parties. There has been a decrease of about 78 thousand voters in six assembly seats of Nainital district as compared to the last assembly elections. The biggest impact has been seen in Haldwani assembly constituency, where more than 30 thousand voters have decreased. This decline in the number of voters has posed a new electoral challenge to both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress.
According to the information, in the data published after Special Intensive Revision of Voter List i.e. SIR, the number of voters has reduced in all the six assembly seats of the district. According to the list published in the beginning of October, a total of 7,75,899 voters were registered on six seats in Nainital district in the 2022 assembly elections, while in the new list this number has come down to 6,97,535. On this basis, there is a total shortage of 78,364 voters. However, different reports show slight differences in the figures for some seats, including Haldwani.
Voters decreased the most in Haldwani
The biggest decline in voter numbers in Nainital district has been seen in Haldwani assembly constituency. According to the available data, about 30 to 31 thousand fewer voters have been registered here compared to the previous elections.
This change is also important because in the 2022 assembly elections, Congress candidate Sumit Hridayesh had won the Haldwani seat by a margin of 7,814 votes. The reduction in the current voter list is almost four times the previous victory margin.
In such a situation, Congress will face the challenge of maintaining its old voter base and reaching out to new voters. On the other hand, BJP may also try to strengthen its election strategy amid this change.
Election mathematics changed on Nainital seat also
Apart from Haldwani, a big decline has been recorded in the number of voters in Nainital assembly constituency also. There is a decrease of about 17 thousand voters here compared to the last assembly elections.
In the year 2022, BJP candidate Sarita Arya had won from Nainital Assembly seat by a margin of 7,881 votes. The decrease recorded in the new voter list is more than double the margin of this victory.
From the political point of view, this situation is considered important because political parties take special caution regarding changes in the voter list on seats won by small margins.
However, reduction in the number of voters does not mean that only the names of supporters of any one political party have been removed from the list. Its actual electoral impact will depend on voter participation and political inclination at the time of voting.
BJP had won five seats in 2022
Out of the six assembly seats in Nainital district, BJP had won five seats in the 2022 elections, while Congress had got success only in Haldwani seat.
BJP’s Dr. Mohan Singh Bisht from Lalkuan, Ram Singh Kaida from Bhimtal, Sarita Arya from Nainital, Banshidhar Bhagat from Kaladhungi and Diwan Singh Bisht from Ramnagar were elected MLAs.
Whereas, Sumit Hridayesh of Congress had won from Haldwani assembly constituency.
Now before the 2027 elections, due to decrease in the number of voters on all six seats, both the major political parties may have to review their election strategy.
It will be a challenge for BJP to retain its five seats, while Congress will try to strengthen its position on other seats including Haldwani.
Impact in Lalkuan, Ramnagar and Bhimtal also
Changes in the voter list are not limited to Haldwani and Nainital only. The number of voters has also decreased in Lalkuan, Bhimtal, Kaladhungi and Ramnagar assembly constituencies of the district.
A shortage of about 12 thousand voters has been recorded in Lalkuan, about 10 thousand in Ramnagar and more than six thousand in Kaladhungi. The number of voters has also decreased in Bhimtal.
In the year 2022, BJP’s Diwan Singh Bisht had won the Ramnagar assembly seat by a margin of 4,745 votes. In such a situation, the decrease in voter numbers here is considered important from the electoral equations.
It will now be necessary for political parties to study the voter list at the booth level and confirm that the names of their supporters have been registered.
Those whose names are missing from the voter list will get an opportunity
After a special thorough revision of the voter list, the eligible citizens whose names have not been included in the list, have the opportunity to get their names added again.
According to election officials, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been instructed to identify such voters and assist in the necessary process.
Eligible citizens can apply for inclusion of name in the voter list by filling Form-6. After verification of the application, the name can be included in the list as per the prescribed rules.
Many possible reasons for reduction in voter list
According to experts, there could be many reasons for the change in the voter list. These may include transfer of voters to another place, death, double entries and errors encountered during verification.
Apart from this, some eligible voters may also be prevented from being included in the list due to not providing the necessary documents or information.
Therefore, it would not be appropriate to consider the entire reduction in voter numbers as a direct result of the reduction of ineligible names or an action taken for political reasons.
Will keep an eye on 2027 assembly elections
This change in voter list will become an important issue for political parties before next year’s assembly elections in Uttarakhand.