UN experts ask India to clarify allegations of voter roll deletions before elections

United Nations human rights experts have asked the Indian government to respond to allegations that millions of people were removed from electoral rolls before recent elections, with claims that Muslims and members of the Bengali community were disproportionately affected. The experts have requested detailed information from New Delhi to clarify how voter lists were revised and whether any communities faced discrimination during the process.

In an open letter, the UN special rapporteurs called on India to explain the procedures followed while updating electoral rolls. They also asked the government to provide data showing whether any voters were excluded on the basis of religion or ethnicity. The experts stressed the importance of ensuring that every eligible citizen has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process without discrimination.

According to the letter, the UN received complaints claiming that around 9.1 million names were removed from voter lists in the state of West Bengal. Separate allegations submitted to the experts also claimed that nearly 52 million voters across India may have been excluded from electoral rolls. The UN experts requested official clarification regarding these figures and the methods used to verify voter eligibility.

The letter highlighted complaints from several areas, including Nandigram, where a large number of deleted names were reportedly linked to Muslim voters. It also referred to allegations that Muslims and members of the Bengali community were affected more than other groups during the revision of voter lists. The experts asked the Indian government to explain whether any safeguards were in place to prevent discrimination against minority communities.

Another concern raised in the letter relates to unresolved appeals filed by voters. According to the complaints received by the UN experts, about 3.4 million appeals connected to electoral rolls had not been decided before elections in West Bengal. The experts noted that unresolved cases could affect the ability of eligible citizens to cast their votes.

The letter also referred to allegations that artificial intelligence may have been used in ways that influenced the electoral process. While no conclusions were presented, the experts asked the Indian government to explain whether any technology assisted the revision of voter rolls and what measures were taken to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability throughout the process.

The UN experts emphasised that if the allegations are proven to be true, they could represent serious violations of international human rights obligations related to political participation and equal treatment. They urged India to ensure that all affected voters have access to effective legal remedies and that their voting rights are fully protected.

In addition, the experts requested information about the steps being taken to safeguard minority communities from discrimination during elections. They also asked the Indian government to make its response public so that the concerns raised can be addressed in a transparent manner.

The letter was issued as part of the UN’s standard procedure for seeking clarification on allegations submitted by individuals and organisations. It does not represent a finding that the claims are accurate. As of now, the Indian government has not issued an official response to the allegations or to the questions raised by the United Nations experts.