Three United Nations Special Rapporteurs have expressed concern over reported voter deletions and the use of artificial intelligence in voter verification
NEW YORK — Three United Nations Special Rapporteurs have expressed serious concerns regarding India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, warning that large-scale removal of names from electoral rolls could disproportionately affect Muslims, Bengalis and other minority communities.
The concerns were outlined in a communication sent to the Government of India under the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The letter, dated 1 May 2026, was signed by Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, and Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
According to the communication, the experts expressed concern over allegations that millions of voters may have been removed from electoral rolls during the revision process. They noted reports claiming that approximately 52 million voter records had been deleted across 12 states and Union Territories.
The letter referred to allegations that around 9.1 million names had been removed in West Bengal alone. According to reports cited by the experts, many affected individuals claimed that their names were deleted despite possessing valid identification documents.
The UN experts also highlighted concerns raised regarding Nandigram, an electoral constituency in West Bengal, where reports alleged that a large proportion of deleted voters were Muslims. The communication noted claims that approximately 95 per cent of voters removed from the constituency belonged to the Muslim community, despite Muslims constituting only a minority of the area’s total electorate.
The experts further referred to reports that nearly 2.7 million people in West Bengal had been excluded under a category described as “logical inconsistencies”. According to the allegations cited, even minor spelling differences in names and other administrative discrepancies were considered grounds for scrutiny.
Another major concern raised in the communication relates to the reported use of artificial intelligence systems to identify irregularities in voter data.
The experts warned that insufficient transparency regarding the operation of such systems could create risks of error and bias.
“The lack of transparency and the possibility of algorithmic bias may lead to genuine voters being deprived of their voting rights,” the experts cautioned, according to the communication.
They added that any such outcome could undermine democratic participation and public confidence in electoral processes.
The letter also referred to statements allegedly made by senior government officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, linking voter verification efforts with action against what were described as illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
According to the experts, such public narratives risk creating an association between Indian Muslim citizens and foreign nationals. The communication further referenced the phrase “detect, delete and deport”, which has appeared in political discussions concerning immigration and voter verification.
The experts warned that rhetoric targeting groups on the basis of religion, ethnicity or nationality could raise concerns under Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
The communication also discussed developments before India’s Supreme Court. According to the letter, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution on 16 April and allowed voters whose names had been removed in West Bengal to seek restoration before state elections held in two phases on 23 and 29 April.
The review process reportedly generated more than 3.4 million appeals, placing considerable pressure on adjudicating authorities and electoral bodies responsible for handling the cases within a limited period.
The UN experts have called upon the Government of India to provide information regarding measures taken to address the concerns raised in the communication. They have also sought detailed data relating to those reportedly removed from electoral rolls, including information concerning religion and ethnicity where available.
Indian authorities have previously maintained that electoral roll revisions are conducted in accordance with established legal procedures and are aimed at ensuring the accuracy of voter lists.
The communication from the UN experts forms part of an ongoing dialogue between international human rights mechanisms and member states regarding electoral rights, democratic participation and the protection of minority communities.
The Government of India’s formal response to the concerns raised in the communication is awaited.
