A complaint has arisen over the increased number of electors in the State Assembly polls compared to the 2024 General Election, raising concerns about voter roll discrepancies.

Why Election Integrity Matters?

• Pillar of Democracy: Elections form the foundation of a democratic system, ensuring representation and governance by the people.
• Public Trust: Any doubts about electoral fairness can erode trust in democratic institutions and weaken voter participation.
• Role of the Election Commission: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections to uphold democracy.

Voter Registration Discrepancy

• Example: Maharashtra witnessed a sudden increase of 48 lakh new voters in just six months.
• Political Concerns: Parties are questioning the abrupt surge in voter registrations and its implications.
• Credibility Issues: Data mismatches and inconsistencies raise doubts about the integrity of the electoral process.

EPIC Number Issue

• Unique Voter ID : The EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) is meant to be a unique identifier for each voter.
• Duplication Concern:  Cases of multiple electors sharing the same EPIC number have been reported.
• Electoral Fraud Risk: Such discrepancies could enable multiple voting across different states, compromising election integrity.

Migrant Voters & Multiple Votes

• Dual Registration: Migrant workers often have EPIC numbers in two different states.
• Double Voting: If elections in these states occur close together, some voters may cast ballots twice.
• Impact on Fairness: Such instances raise serious concerns about electoral integrity and fairness.

Way Forward

• Biometric Verification: Could help de-duplicate voter records, reducing fraud. However, Aadhaar identifies residents, not citizens, necessitating additional proof for voting eligibility. Potential risks include privacy concerns and profiling of voters.
• Exclusion Risks: Biometric verification is not foolproof and could lead to genuine voter exclusion. Alternative identity verification mechanisms must be in place.
• Ensure Unique EPIC : Assign a truly unique EPIC number to each voter to prevent duplication.
• Biometric Verification: Implement fingerprint or facial recognition, with a backup ID system for contingencies.
• Roll Updates: Regular audits and public verification to maintain accuracy and credibility.

International Examples

• USA: Voter ID is linked to the driver’s license, ensuring identity verification.
• Philippines: Implements a fingerprint-based voting system for enhanced security.
• India’s Need:  A hybrid model combining multiple verification methods can strengthen electoral integrity.

Conclusion

The ECI should conduct a comprehensive de-duplication exercise to ensure one EPIC number per voter. Ensuring public trust in the electoral system is critical for democratic integrity.