Answer

Introduction

Recent allegations of large-scale discrepancies in electoral rolls have raised serious concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Claims of fake and multiple voter registrations in key constituencies challenge the integrity of voter registration and have eroded public trust. Given India’s vast electorate of over 960 million voters, these discrepancies highlight urgent systemic challenges that require reform to safeguard the democratic process.

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Systemic Issues in Electoral Roll Preparation in India

• Lax Verification Mechanisms: Electoral rolls rely heavily on self-declarations with weak identity verification, allowing fake or duplicate entries.
  Eg: In Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, multiple registrations for the same person were reported in 2024 assembly elections.
• Bulk Data Release in Inaccessible Formats: ECI publishes voter data in bulky image PDFs rather than searchable text, hindering verification efforts by political parties and civil society.
• Rushed Revision Exercises: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises faced criticism for hurried implementation and flawed identity checks, risking legitimate voter deletions.
• Inadequate Door-to-Door Verification: Lack of comprehensive door-to-door verification leads to inaccurate rolls, especially in rural and migrant-heavy regions.
• Poor Handling of Out-Migrants and Transients: Electoral rolls struggle to accurately track migrants and transient populations, leading to double registration or wrongful exclusions.
• Limited Transparency and Public Participation: Opaque data management and limited avenues for public scrutiny reduce accountability in electoral roll updates.

Reforms to Strengthen Public Trust in the Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Implement Robust Identity Verification: Introduce biometric authentication or use Aadhaar-based verification to prevent duplicate or fake registrations.
  Eg: Kerala piloted Aadhaar linkage with voter IDs, improving roll accuracy in 2023 local elections.
• Digitize Electoral Data in Searchable Formats: Make voter lists available in structured, searchable databases to enable real-time auditing by stakeholders.
  Eg: The ECI’s National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) aims to improve data accessibility and reduce errors in electoral roll.
• Conduct Comprehensive Door-to-Door Verification: Institutionalize house-to-house verification nationwide to ensure roll accuracy and inclusiveness.
• Establish Independent Audit Mechanisms: Set up third-party audits of electoral rolls and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for transparency.
• Enhance Data Sharing and Public Participation: Increase transparency by timely data sharing and enabling citizens and parties to flag discrepancies promptly.
  Eg: The ECI’s online voter grievance portal facilitates complaint registration but needs wider awareness and responsiveness.
• Reform Appointment Process of Election Commissioners: Follow SC recommendations for a transparent selection panel including the Chief Justice of India to bolster institutional credibility.

Conclusion

Electoral roll discrepancies highlight systemic flaws in voter registration and data management by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Comprehensive reforms including biometric verification, digitization, independent audits, and transparent appointments are essential to rebuild public trust and strengthen democratic integrity.

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