In a significant update ahead of upcoming elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that individuals from neighboring countries — Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar — were found during a voter list verification drive but will not be included in the final electoral roll.
The Commission clarified this after concerns were raised over the integrity of the electoral process during the summary revision of electoral rolls being conducted across several states. According to officials, the presence of foreign nationals came to light during door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) as part of the ongoing revision process.
“These individuals were identified during routine field verification, and appropriate action has been taken. They will not be added to the final voter list,” an ECI official said.
Drive Conducted to Ensure Clean Electoral Rolls
The electoral roll revision is a periodic process where eligible voters are added, and ineligible or duplicate names are removed. This includes verifying names, addresses, and citizenship status.
In border states and districts with high migratory populations, the ECI pays special attention to the authenticity of documents provided for voter registration. It was during this verification in regions near international borders that the names of non-citizens were flagged.
Strict Measures to Prevent Electoral Fraud
The Commission stated that the integrity of the electoral roll is critical to free and fair elections. Instructions have been issued to state election offices and district administrations to maintain strict vigilance in border areas.
“We’re using technological tools, Aadhaar linkage (voluntary), field verification, and cross-referencing with other government databases to prevent any unauthorized entries,” the ECI added.
This is especially relevant as India prepares for upcoming assembly elections in several states and the 2026 general elections. Ensuring that only eligible Indian citizens are included in the electoral rolls is a top priority.
Border States Under Special Watch
States like Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and some northeastern regions — where cross-border migration has historically been an issue — are under special watch. These states have shared borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar, increasing the possibility of illegal migration.
According to election officials, the individuals identified from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar were either migrants or refugees who had settled in local communities but lacked Indian citizenship documents.
However, the Commission emphasized that the identification of such individuals is a preventive measure, and no cases of large-scale entry into the voter list were reported.
Opposition Demands Transparency
Opposition parties have demanded a detailed report on the number of such individuals identified and the regions involved. They have urged the ECI to release state-wise data and ensure complete transparency.
The ECI has not disclosed specific figures but assured the public that the final voter list, to be published after the revision, will exclude all non-citizens.
Final Voter List in Progress
The final updated voter list will be released in the coming months after all objections are processed, and verification is completed. Citizens have also been urged to report any suspicious entries or discrepancies through the ECI’s official portal or local election offices.
As India strengthens its electoral processes with digital verification and more rigorous documentation, the Election Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the right to vote remains protected and exclusive to Indian citizens.
Sources:
- Press Trust of India (PTI)
- Election Commission of India (eci.gov.in)
- Statements from ECI Officials during press briefing (July 2025)
