Answer

The Election Commission of India (ECI), a constitutional body constituted under Article 324, is responsible for conducting free and fair elections. However, concerns over voter registration discrepancies have emerged, with reports of multiple EPIC numbers and an unusual surge in voters, raising questions about electoral integrity.

Criticism Faced by the Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Increase in Registered Voters: The Opposition raised concerns about Maharashtra witnessing a 48 lakh increase in voters within six months of the 2024 general elections, questioning the accuracy of the registration process.
• Multiple EPIC Numbers Issue: The ECI admitted that different voters were assigned the same Electors Photo Identification Card (EPIC) number, raising doubts about the uniqueness of voter identities.
• Possibility of Voting in Multiple States: Migrant voters could potentially vote in both their residence and home State if elections occur close together, due to delays in removing duplicate entries.
• Lack of Transparent Clarifications: The ECI could not  provide clear explanations for voter roll anomalies, allowing Opposition parties to challenge the credibility of the electoral process.
  For example: During the 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections, Opposition leaders alleged voter list tampering, citing inconsistencies in names and missing registered voters.
• Concerns Over Aadhaar Linkage: While linking Aadhaar could help eliminate duplicate registrations, it raises risks of data misuse, profiling, and disenfranchisement due to authentication failures.
  For example: In Telangana (2018), the deletion of lakhs of voters due to Aadhaar-based duplication led to mass complaints, as many eligible voters were wrongly removed.

Challenges in Maintaining Electoral Roll Integrity

• Duplicate and Ghost Voter Entries: The lack of real-time synchronization of electoral databases across States enables fraudulent registrations, allowing the same individual to be listed multiple times.
• Migration and Address Updates: Many voters fail to update their voter registration when migrating, leading to outdated entries and potential double voting in multiple locations.
  For example: In Mumbai and Bihar (2019), a study found that thousands of migrant workers retained voter IDs in both locations, making it difficult to track genuine voters.
• Manual Errors in Voter Rolls: The reliance on manual data entry and verification results in clerical errors, such as incorrect names, ages, or missing voter details.
• Technology-Induced Exclusion: Aadhaar-based biometric verification can fail due to fingerprint mismatches, poor internet connectivity, and authentication errors, leading to disenfranchisement.
• Lack of Independent Audits: The absence of periodic third-party audits of voter lists makes it harder to detect systematic errors or deliberate manipulation in electoral rolls.
  For example: In Madhya Pradesh (2018), an independent review found nearly 60 lakh suspect voter entries, exposing vulnerabilities in voter list maintenance.

Reforms to Prevent Voter Duplication While Ensuring Inclusivity

• Unique Voter ID System: Implement a centralized voter database with AI-based de-duplication to detect and remove multiple registrations across States while ensuring genuine voters are not excluded.
  For example: Estonia’s electronic voter registry automatically updates and cross-checks voter details nationwide, reducing duplication and ensuring accuracy.
• Mandatory Voter Roll Audits: Conduct independent third-party audits of electoral rolls before elections, ensuring transparency and addressing discrepancies in a timely manner.
  For example: In the United Kingdom, electoral commissions conduct regular voter roll audits, preventing fraudulent registrations and enhancing trust in the system.
• Streamlined Voter Registration for Migrants: Introduce a simplified process for migrants to update their voter registration when they change residence, reducing the risk of multiple enrollments.
  For example: Canada’s National Register of Electors allows real-time address updates, ensuring migrant voters are listed only in their current constituency.
• Secure Biometric Verification with Safeguards: Use fingerprint and facial recognition with manual verification backup, ensuring no eligible voter is excluded due to authentication failures.
• Legislation for Transparent Data Sharing: Establish a legal framework to share anonymized voter data with political parties and independent bodies, allowing them to flag discrepancies.
  For example: In Germany, political parties can access voter lists under strict privacy laws, enabling external verification and enhancing electoral integrity.

Democracy thrives on trust and transparency, and a robust electoral roll is its backbone. Leveraging blockchain for secure voter verification, integrating AI-driven de-duplication, and enhancing door-to-door verification can fortify electoral integrity. Strengthening the ECI’s digital infrastructure will ensure inclusive and fraud-free elections.

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