The pattern, therefore, cuts across income groups and neighbourhood types, from dense informal settlements to high-rise and middle-class areas. (File)In Maharashtra’s 25 of 288 Assembly constituencies, all of which are urban, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) forms of over 40 per cent voters could not be collected – their names would not find place in the draft roll that would be published on August 31.An analysis of constituency-wise data accessed by The Indian Express has found that of the 25, 17 are in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, seven in Pune and one in Nagpur.These 25 constituencies have 1.10 crore electors, of whom 48.17 lakh, or 43.7 per cent, could not be traced.This account for nearly a quarter of all uncollected forms in the state.Statewide, forms of 2.07 crore of Maharashtra’s 9.78 crore electors, or 21.16 per cent, could not be collected. Those voters are liable to be left out of the draft roll and will then have to file a claim to get their names back on it.Bhiwandi East seat recorded the highest rate, 49.11 per cent, nearly two-and-a-half times the state average.Forms of almost half its electoral (1.84 lakh of its 3.76 lakh voters) could not be collected. Colaba seat follows at 46.98 per cent, Khadakwasla at 46.64, Nalasopara at 46.43 and Kothrud at 46.26. Kalyan Rural and Hadapsar complete the list of seven seats where forms of more than 45 per cent of voters went uncollected.Rate and volume tell different stories.Story continues below this adNalasopara has the largest number of uncollected forms anywhere in the state – 3.07 lakh of 6.62 lakh voters – because its electorate is far bigger. Hadapsar follows with 2.98 lakh, Panvel 2.83 lakh, Khadakwasla 2.78 lakh and Kalyan Rural 2.52 lakh.Many Booth Level Officers blame the urban concentration on the difficulty of reaching voters.Dense housing clusters, high-rise buildings and a highly mobile population make door-to-door verification harder. In Mumbai, Thane and Pune, residents have reported BLOs not reaching individual homes, with forms left at building gates instead.Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam said the high percentage of uncollectable forms in urban areas was also linked to population mobility. “People keep shifting from one place to another and their electoral records are not always updated. Another factor that needs to be considered is that this intensive revision is being undertaken after a gap of more than 24 years. The previous SIR was conducted in 2002 and the electoral rolls have not been comprehensively updated since then. We also have to take into account around 34 lakh names of deceased voters,” he saidStory continues below this adChockalingam also said the draft roll was not the final voter list. Eligible voters can seek correction through Form 8 or apply for inclusion through Form 6 during the claims and objections period.The worst-hit seats cut across party lines. Of the seven above 45 per cent, the BJP won Colaba, Khadakwasla, Nalasopara and Kothrud in the 2024 Assembly election, the Shiv Sena won Kalyan Rural and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP won Hadapsar. Bhiwandi East went to the Samajwadi Party.Several of the worst-affected seats, including Bhiwandi East, Mankhurd Shivajinagar, Chandivali, Mumbadevi and parts of Malad, have large Muslim and Scheduled Caste populations and extensive informal settlements. Colaba, Sion Koliwada, Dharavi and Worli take in the city’s traditional fishing settlements.The list is not uniform. Malabar Hill and Colaba, among the wealthiest constituencies in the state, record rates close to those in Mankhurd Shivajinagar. Kothrud and Khadakwasla, middle-class strongholds in Pune, are in the top five statewide.Story continues below this adThe pattern, therefore, cuts across income groups and neighbourhood types, from dense informal settlements to high-rise and middle-class areas.Three SC-reserved seats are among the 25 above 40 per cent: Ambarnath at 44.21 per cent, Pimpri at 41.26 and Pune Cantonment at 40.47. Nagpur North (SC) is at 36.59 per cent, Dharavi (SC) at 34.55 and Boisar (ST) at 34.41.The house-to-house exercise ran from June 30 to August 18. Claims and objections open once the draft roll is published on August 31, and the final roll is scheduled for October 19 Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. 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