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The foundation of a robust democracy lies in the integrity of its electoral process, and at the heart of this process is the electoral roll. As S Y Quraishi argues, a transparent and accurate electoral roll is not merely desirable but an absolute necessity for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to maintain public trust and safeguard the democratic principles upon which the nation is built. In a country with a vast and diverse electorate exceeding 960 million, the task of creating and continually updating electoral rolls is an immense logistical and democratic undertaking. It is through these rolls that the principle of 'one person, one vote' is translated into practical reality, ensuring that every eligible citizen has an equal voice in shaping the future of their nation. The ECI, constitutionally mandated to conduct free and fair elections, has historically prioritized the integrity of the electoral roll, a stance consistently supported by the Supreme Court, which has affirmed that free and fair elections are a fundamental aspect of the Constitution's basic structure, with accurate voter lists being integral to this process. The ECI's commitment to transparency has been a cornerstone of its operations for many years. By making draft rolls publicly available for scrutiny, utilizing technology for online searches, and involving political parties and civil society organizations in verification drives, the ECI has strived to maintain an open and accountable process. This openness fostered significant public trust, with surveys conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in the 1990s and 2000s revealing consistently high levels of trust in the ECI, often exceeding 75-80 percent. This trust was earned through visible impartiality, procedural fairness, and the implementation of innovative measures that enhanced both accessibility and credibility. This commitment to transparency has not only enhanced the integrity of the electoral process but also reinforced public confidence in the ECI's ability to conduct free and fair elections, laying a solid foundation for a healthy democracy.
One notable example of the ECI's commitment to electoral roll management was the innovative approach employed under the leadership of CEC N Gopalaswami during the 2007 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Faced with concerns about inflated rolls and the potential for fraudulent voting, the ECI devised a unique method to address the issue of 'SAD' voters, an acronym for Shifted, Absent, or Dead voters. Instead of simply deleting these names, which could have resulted in controversy or widespread disenfranchisement, the ECI created a separate list of such voters for each polling station, based on thorough door-to-door verification. These lists were then provided to the presiding officers, who were responsible for conducting a rigorous check when these voters appeared and recording the number of those who actually cast their votes. The results were striking: in most constituencies, only 2-3 percent of the 'SAD' voters actually turned up at the polling station. While this practice was subsequently implemented in other states, the outcomes varied. In Gujarat, for instance, approximately 24 percent of the voters on the 'SAD' list appeared to vote. Nevertheless, the initiative proved effective in combating impersonation and eliminating bogus voting, as the presiding officers had the necessary information to identify and prevent fraudulent activity. This exercise was widely hailed as a 'thundering success,' demonstrating how field innovation, without disenfranchising any eligible voters, could effectively safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. The ECI's proactive approach to addressing the issue of 'SAD' voters highlights its commitment to ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and transparently, with minimal opportunities for fraudulent activity.
Furthermore, the ECI's launch of National Voters’ Day on January 25, starting in 2011, further underscores its dedication to promoting voter awareness and participation. The initiative aimed to celebrate the democratic spirit and focus public attention on voter enrollment and participation, particularly among young people. Each year, a new theme reinforced the central role of the voter, such as 'Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy' (2011 and 2012), 'Inclusive and Qualitative Participation' (2013), 'Ethical Voting' (2014), 'Easy Registration, Easy Correction' (2015), 'Empowering Young and Future Voters' (2017), and 'No Voter to be Left Behind' (2019). The consistent message conveyed throughout these years is that every single voter counts, and no eligible citizen should be excluded due to lack of opportunity or access. However, the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar has raised concerns about the ECI's approach and its commitment to transparency. While the SIR aims to capture new voters, correct errors, and remove ineligible names, the decision to conduct a de novo revision has been questioned, particularly given that the ECI had previously decided to discontinue this practice after most state rolls were digitized and electronic voter cards were distributed. The fact that the ECI conducted the 2024 general elections with a summary revision raises further questions about the rationale behind the current approach. The trust that the ECI once commanded almost unquestioningly is now subject to greater public scrutiny, with allegations of executive overreach, perceived inaction in the face of violations, and reduced transparency prompting debates about the institution's independence.
While the procedural framework for transparency remains in place, including draft roll publication, booth-level officer verification, and stakeholder consultation, the perception of impartiality is as important as its reality. Reinforcing this trust is as critical as ensuring technical accuracy. In the current SIR, the Commission has released a granular breakdown of deletions, including 22 lakh deceased voters, 36 lakh permanently shifted or untraceable individuals, and 7 lakh duplicates. While this level of precision in identifying and removing inaccuracies is commendable, the failure to disclose the number of new voters added after this clean-up leaves an incomplete picture of the revision’s net effect. This omission is particularly concerning, as the addition of bogus voters has always been a significant concern. The Supreme Court's recent interim order directing the ECI to publicly disclose the names and reasons for exclusion of approximately 65 lakh voters removed from Bihar’s draft rolls further underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in electoral roll revisions. The Court's directive aims to enhance transparency, prevent voter disenfranchisement, and ensure accountability in electoral roll revisions, which are critical to preserving public trust ahead of the Bihar elections. The Court clarified that it was not curtailing the ECI’s authority to conduct revisions but emphasized that such authority must be exercised transparently. The Court emphasized that citizens should not depend on intermediaries or political agents to know whether their names were removed, highlighting that public access is fundamental to democratic accountability.
In conclusion, for an organization that has built its reputation as one of the most respected election management bodies in the world, a return to its fullest, most uncompromising version of transparency is not merely desirable but a necessity for the preservation of democratic trust. If the ECI truly believes that 'every vote matters,' it must demonstrate this commitment by showing every voter it has added, not just every name it has removed, and every duplicate voter it has detected. The ECI must address the concerns raised by the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar and ensure that its actions are consistent with its historical commitment to transparency and impartiality. The ECI's role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process is vital to the health of India's democracy, and it must take all necessary steps to maintain public trust and confidence. The ECI must proactively engage with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the public, to address concerns and ensure that the electoral process is transparent, fair, and inclusive. The ECI must also invest in technology and innovation to improve the accuracy and efficiency of electoral roll management, while also ensuring that these systems are secure and resistant to manipulation. By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, the ECI can reinforce its position as a trusted and respected institution, and safeguard the democratic principles upon which India is built. Only through a renewed commitment to transparency can the ECI effectively address the challenges facing India's electoral system and ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in a free and fair election.
Source: S Y Quraishi writes: For EC, a return to transparency is not just desirable — it is necessary