‘Similar Playbook’: US Congresswoman Raises Concern Over 13 Crore Voter Deletions In India

Last Updated:October 15, 2026, 02:39 IST

Jayapal, a Democratic representative from Washington state, said she supported non-violent protests to counter “anti-democratic efforts in India.”

Indian-origin US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. (File image: Getty Images via AFP)

Indian-origin US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on Wednesday expressed concern over reports of 13 crore voter names being removed from draft electoral rolls in India, drawing a comparison with the Trump administration’s actions on voting rights in the United States.

Jayapal, a Democratic representative from Washington state, said she supported non-violent protests to counter “anti-democratic efforts in India.”

Her remarks mark the first comments by a US lawmaker on the issue.

“I am deeply concerned about the actions of the Indian government to purge 130 million people from the voting rolls. This appears to be a similar playbook to what the Trump Administration is doing here at home to undermine voting rights in a democracy,” she said in a post on X.

Jayapal Backs Non-Violent Protests

Jayapal said protecting democracy across the world was essential and stressed that people in India and the US “deserve free and fair elections”.

“Non-violent resistance movements are essential in these moments and I stand with the Indian people who are engaging in non-violent protests to counter anti-democratic efforts in India,” she said.

Her comments come amid concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India.

According to figures shared by the Election Commission, around 7.2 crore names were deleted from draft electoral rolls during the first two phases of the SIR, covering 13 states and Union Territories.

In the ongoing third phase, draft electoral rolls have been published in 18 states and Union Territories, with a further 6.16 crore names deleted, taking the reported total to around 13.36 crore.

The Commission has said genuine voters whose names were inadvertently omitted can seek their inclusion through the claims and objections process. They can also apply using Form 6.

(With inputs from PTI)

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What concerns did US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal raise regarding voter lists in India?

US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal expressed deep concern over the removal of 13 crore voter names from draft electoral rolls in India. She compared these deletions to the voting rights actions of the Trump administration in the United States and voiced support for non-violent protests against anti-democratic efforts.

How many total voter names have been deleted during the Special Intensive Revision in India?

Around 13.36 crore names have been deleted during the Special Intensive Revision across India. This includes about 7.2 crore deletions in the first two phases and another 6.16 crore in the third phase.

What recourse do genuine voters have if their names were omitted from electoral rolls?

The Election Commission stated that genuine voters whose names were inadvertently omitted can seek inclusion through the claims and objections process. Affected individuals can also apply using Form 6.

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