[Answered] “The sanctity of electoral rolls is the foundation of India’s electoral democracy.” Critically assess the current challenges faced by the Election Commission of India in maintaining the integrity of electoral rolls.

The sanctity of electoral rolls is central to ensuring the credibility and fairness of India’s democratic processes. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s warning about the potential for electoral manipulation by the executive, particularly through exclusionary or inclusionary tactics, remains deeply relevant today.

Challenges in Maintaining Electoral Rolls

• Excessive Voter Enrolment and Political Manipulation: Maharashtra State Elections: The ECI enrolled 9.7 crore voters for the 2024 Maharashtra elections, which was more than the entire adult population of the state (9.54 crore). A staggering 48 lakh new voters were added in just six months before the State elections, significantly higher than the 32 lakh new voters added over five years (2019–2024).
• Lack of Transparency and Accountability: The lack of transparency in the face of significant discrepancies erodes public trust in the electoral system. It is essential for the ECI to proactively release data and clarify doubts to maintain its credibility and the trust of the electorate.
• Possible Presence of Ghost Voters: The large-scale registration of voters in a short period raises concerns about the existence of “ghost voters” — individuals who may not exist or may have been fraudulently registered to influence election outcomes. These ghost voters, if left unchecked, compromise the integrity of the electoral rolls and undermine the principle of a fair and impartial election.
• Inadequate Verification and Data Integrity: The lack of proper verification procedures for new voters poses a risk of data errors and fraudulent entries. Such lapses can lead to widespread disenfranchisement and diminish the legitimacy of election results.

Recommendations for Reform

• Use of Aadhaar for De-duplication and Biometric Verification: To address the issue of ghost voters and ensure the authenticity of electoral rolls, the ECI should consider integrating Aadhaar for voter registration and biometric verification. This would allow for de-duplication of voter entries and ensure that only eligible voters are registered and able to cast their vote.
• Enhanced Transparency and Public Oversight: The ECI must adopt a more transparent approach by making electoral data publicly available and addressing discrepancies on time. This will help prevent the perception of bias or manipulation, ensuring the integrity of the process.
• Strengthening Electoral Roll Audit Mechanisms: The ECI should establish an independent audit process to verify the authenticity of the electoral rolls. Third-party organizations, along with political parties, should be allowed to scrutinize the data to identify discrepancies.
• Voter Education and Engagement: The ECI should invest in comprehensive voter education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of voter registration, the verification process, and the role of electoral rolls in ensuring fair elections.

Conclusion

The integrity of electoral rolls is the cornerstone of India’s democratic process. Addressing the existing challenges requires a combination of technological innovation, administrative efficiency, and a strong commitment to inclusivity and transparency. By ensuring accurate and comprehensive electoral rolls, the ECI can uphold the sanctity of elections and strengthen India’s democracy.