Chennai Tops Tamil Nadu in Voter Deletions; Anna Nagar and Kolathur See Major Cuts

Chennai has emerged as the district with the highest number of voter deletions in Tamil Nadu, according to the draft electoral roll released on December 19. A total of 14.36 lakh voters have been removed from the rolls across the city, raising concerns ahead of upcoming elections.

Among all constituencies, Anna Nagar Assembly constituency recorded the highest number of deletions, with 1.18 lakh voters removed. Close behind is Chief Minister MK Stalin’s Kolathur constituency, which saw 1.02 lakh deletions, making it one of the most affected areas in Chennai.

Several other constituencies have also witnessed sharp reductions in voter numbers. Velachery recorded a 40% drop, while Thousand Lights and T Nagar each saw approximately 41% voter deletions.

DMK Stronghold Sees Major Changes

Chennai comprises 16 Assembly constituencies and has long been considered a stronghold of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in both Assembly and Parliamentary elections.

MK Stalin has represented Kolathur since its formation in 2011, winning the seat three consecutive times. In the 2021 Assembly election, he secured 1,05,522 votes out of 1,73,388 polled, with the constituency having 2,81,128 registered voters at the time. He had earlier won four consecutive terms from Thousand Lights.

In Parliamentary elections, Chennai Central has remained a DMK bastion, represented for decades by the late Murasoli Maran and later by his son, former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran. The DMK has won 13 general elections in Chennai Central since 1977.

However, the latest draft roll reveals massive deletions:

• Chennai Central: 5.47 lakh deletions

• Chennai North: 3.78 lakh deletions

• Chennai South: 5.10 lakh deletions

Constituency-wise Highlights

Chennai Central (6 constituencies)

• Anna Nagar: 42% deletion; voters reduced from 2.8 lakh to 1.18 lakh

• Villivakam: 42% deletion; voters dropped from 2.44 lakh to 1.42 lakh

• Thousand Lights: 97,082 deletions (41%)

• Velachery: 1.26 lakh deletions; voter count reduced from 3.16 lakh to 1.89 lakh

Chennai North (5 constituencies)

• Kolathur: 1.02 lakh deletions (highest in the zone)

• Perambur: 95,679 deletions out of 2.95 lakh

• Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar: 72,574 deletions

• Royapuram: 50,170 deletions (lowest in Chennai at 25%)

• Thiru-vi-ka-nagar (SC): 58,199 deletions (26%)

Chennai South (5 constituencies)

• Velachery: 1.26 lakh deletions

• Virugampakam: 1.12 lakh deletions

• T Nagar: 96,118 deletions (41%)

• Mylapore: 88,000 deletions

• Saidapet: 87,134 deletions

The scale of voter deletions in Chennai has sparked debate over roll revision practices and the need for greater transparency ahead of elections.