The political climate in Assam is heating up as the state prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections. On Tuesday, the Assam unit of the Congress staged a major demonstration in the heart of Guwahati. The party expressed deep concerns over the recently published voter list, leading to a situation where the Assam draft electoral rolls have become a central point of conflict. While the opposition alleges a “systemic conspiracy” to manipulate the mandate, the state government has firmly dismissed these claims as politically motivated.
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Congress Alleges “Vote Theft” and Manipulation
Members of the Guwahati City District Congress Committee gathered near the Secretariat complex to voice their anger. The protesters, led by senior leaders, accused the BJP-led government of interfering with the Special Revision (SR) process. According to the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), the Assam draft electoral rolls contain significant discrepancies that could benefit the ruling party.
The Leader of Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, recently wrote a formal letter to the Chief Election Commissioner. In this letter, he highlighted what he termed “serious irregularities.” Specifically, Saikia pointed out the unauthorized inclusion of non-Assamese speaking voters in several constituencies. He cited examples in Guwahati where individuals were reportedly added to household lists without the knowledge of the homeowners. Because of these findings, the Congress is demanding an immediate halt to the finalization of the voter list.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Dismisses Claims
In response to the street protests and formal complaints, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma maintained a calm but firm stance. He stated that the current version of the Assam draft electoral rolls is exactly that—a draft. The CM explained that the preparation of a voter list for over 2.5 crore people is a mammoth task. Therefore, minor errors regarding addresses or name spellings are common during the initial stages.
The Chief Minister urged the opposition to stop “crying foul” in the media and instead use the established legal channels. He reminded all political parties that the Election Commission provides specific forms—Form 6, 7, and 8—for additions, deletions, and corrections. By following these norms, any genuine error in the Assam draft electoral rolls can be rectified before the final publication in February. He emphasized that the intention of the booth-level officers should not be questioned without concrete evidence.
Key Issues Raised During the Protest:
- Unknown Voter Entries: Congress claims that “unknown” names have appeared in existing households, particularly in the Nazira and Guwahati regions.
- Deletion of Names: The draft reflects the removal of over 10 lakh individuals. The opposition argues that many legitimate voters were purged without proper verification.
- Clause 6 Violations: Debabrata Saikia alleged that these procedural lapses violate the fundamental protections of the Assam Accord.
- Demographic Concerns: The party expressed alarm over the inclusion of “temporary voters” from other states, fearing it will dilute the indigenous voice.
The Scale of the Special Revision (SR)
The data released by the Election Commission shows a complex picture of the state’s changing electorate. The Assam draft electoral rolls published on December 30 reflect a total of 2,52,01,624 electors. This represents a 1.35% increase from the previous year. Between January and December last year, officials identified nearly 4.8 lakh deceased voters and over 5.2 lakh shifted voters for eventual removal.
However, the Election Commission clarified that these names have not been deleted yet. They will only be removed after the claims and objections period concludes on January 22. This window provides a crucial opportunity for all parties to verify the Assam draft electoral rolls on the ground. Special campaign dates have also been set for mid-January to assist the public in this verification process.
Political Stakes Ahead of 2026
The battle over the voter list is more than just a procedural disagreement; it is the first major skirmish of the 2026 election cycle. The Congress believes that the integrity of the Assam draft electoral rolls is the “cornerstone of democracy.” Meanwhile, the BJP views the opposition’s protest as a sign of their “unpreparedness” for the upcoming polls.
As the February 10 deadline for the final roll publication approaches, the scrutiny will only intensify. The state remains on high alert, and the Election Commission is under pressure to ensure a transparent process. For the people of Assam, the accuracy of this list will determine the fairness of the next democratic exercise in the “Amazon of the East.”
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