Delhi, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) member and Dashmesh Sewa Society president Inder Mohan Singh has expressed concern over what he described as a sharp decline in the number of Sikh voters registered for Delhi gurdwara elections, urging the Sikh community and authorities to take steps to ensure eligible voters are enrolled.
Singh claimed that the number of Sikh voters had fallen from 3.42 lakh during the 2021 Delhi gurdwara elections to around 1.89 lakh, representing a decline of nearly 45 per cent. He said the figure was particularly concerning against Delhi’s overall population, which he put at around 2.27 crore.
According to Singh, the draft voter lists published in August 2026 contained around 1.59 lakh Sikh voters. He said approximately 30,000 names had been added after the September 14 deadline for filing claims and objections.
Singh attributed the decline partly to what he described as reduced participation among Sikhs in gurdwara management. At the same time, he alleged that the authorities had not made adequate efforts to inform Sikh citizens about the enrolment process or coordinate with Singh Sabha gurdwaras across Delhi to encourage eligible voters to register.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act and the associated electoral rules provide for preparation and revision of electoral rolls for DSGMC elections. The rules also provide a process for eligible Sikhs to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll.
Singh further said the Delhi government had indicated in an affidavit before the Delhi High Court that final publication of the fresh electoral rolls was expected in the second week of October 2026. He said the process would be followed by delimitation of gurdwara wards in consultation with the DSGMC, with elections expected in February-March 2027.
He also raised concern about young Sikhs becoming eligible to vote for the proposed 2027 elections. Singh said eligible persons attaining the required age by January 1, 2027 should be included in the electoral rolls.
The applicable rules provide that a Sikh who is at least 18 years old on the qualifying date and has ordinarily resided in the concerned ward for the prescribed period can apply for registration.
Singh warned that a lower representation of Sikh voters could have wider implications for the community and said it could affect the community’s position on issues including the status of Punjabi as Delhi’s second language. He appealed to Sikh organisations, leaders and the wider Sikh community to pay attention to the voter-registration process and ensure that eligible names are included.
The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections has separately appointed Electoral Registration Officers for preparation of fresh photo electoral rolls for DSGMC elections.
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