Indian Express investigation finds two Election Commissioners repeatedly raised concerns over voter registration, deletions and the EC’s technology system
The objections reportedly covered some of the most important parts of the electoral-roll process, including adding new voters, deleting names, restoring voters and controlling the technology used to maintain electoral rolls.
What exactly were the concerns?
One major issue was Form 6, the form used by people seeking inclusion in the electoral roll.
According to The Indian Express, a new declaration related to previous SIR electoral rolls was added to the online Form 6. The two Commissioners reportedly questioned whether this change could be introduced without amending the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The report said one of the objections described the change as “illegal” and “unauthorised.”
Another major concern involved ECINet, the Election Commission's technology platform for electoral-roll management.
According to The Indian Express, a new declaration related to previous SIR electoral rolls was added to the online Form 6. The two Commissioners reportedly questioned whether this change could be introduced without amending the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The report said one of the objections described the change as “illegal” and “unauthorised.”
Another major concern involved ECINet, the Election Commission's technology platform for electoral-roll management.
The investigation reported that state-level election officials, including Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), faced restrictions in carrying out certain actions through the software. The two Commissioners reportedly raised concerns about the centralisation of the electoral database and IT control in Delhi, arguing that this could affect the statutory powers of officers working at the ground level.
The issue became particularly significant in Goa, where The Indian Express reported that 97 voters had been examined by EROs and found eligible, but their names could not be restored through the software before the final roll was published. The newspaper reported that the Goa CEO had repeatedly contacted the ECI regarding the issue.
Questions were also raised over appeals filed in the ECI's name in West Bengal, including who authorised certain appeals concerning voters affected by the SIR process.
Why does this matter?
The issue is bigger than the number of names removed from a voter list.
The central question is whether every addition, deletion or restoration of a voter is being carried out through a transparent process by the legally authorised officials, with a proper record of the decision.
The electoral roll determines who can exercise the right to vote. Therefore, even technical problems in the system can have consequences if an eligible voter is unable to get their name included or restored.
What does the Election Commission say?
The Election Commission has disputed the interpretation of the reports and has maintained that the SIR decisions were taken with the Commission's approval. It has also taken steps to address concerns surrounding its electoral-roll technology and procedures.
Following the controversy, the ECI announced several measures concerning the electoral-roll process and technology. The Indian Express subsequently reported that some of the Commission's new decisions addressed concerns raised by the two Commissioners, while questions remained regarding issues such as Form 6 and West Bengal appeals.
Does this mean SIR is illegal?
Not automatically.
The reported disagreements between Election Commissioners do not by themselves invalidate the entire SIR exercise.
The legal questions are more specific: Were particular decisions properly authorised? Were the relevant electoral rules followed? Did the technology allow statutory election officials to exercise their legal powers? And were eligible voters given an effective opportunity to have their names included or restored?
These questions can be examined by the courts on a case-by-case basis.
The issue has now also reached the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear a petition challenging aspects of the functioning of the Election Commission and the nationwide SIR. The court's examination will be important in determining the legal significance of the reported internal objections.
KEY POINTS
• 14 objections: Two Election Commissioners reportedly raised objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months.
• Form 6: Questions were raised over changes to the new-voter registration process.
• ECINet: Concerns were raised about centralised control of the electoral database and restrictions faced by ground-level officials.
• Goa: The Indian Express reported that 97 voters found eligible by EROs remained absent from the final roll after software-related difficulties.
• West Bengal: Questions were raised over the authorisation of certain appeals filed in the ECI's name.
• Legal position: The internal objections do not automatically make SIR illegal. Specific actions and procedures can be challenged and examined by courts.
The larger question
For India's electoral system, the most important issue is ultimately straightforward:
The issue became particularly significant in Goa, where The Indian Express reported that 97 voters had been examined by EROs and found eligible, but their names could not be restored through the software before the final roll was published. The newspaper reported that the Goa CEO had repeatedly contacted the ECI regarding the issue.
Questions were also raised over appeals filed in the ECI's name in West Bengal, including who authorised certain appeals concerning voters affected by the SIR process.
Why does this matter?
The issue is bigger than the number of names removed from a voter list.
The central question is whether every addition, deletion or restoration of a voter is being carried out through a transparent process by the legally authorised officials, with a proper record of the decision.
The electoral roll determines who can exercise the right to vote. Therefore, even technical problems in the system can have consequences if an eligible voter is unable to get their name included or restored.
What does the Election Commission say?
The Election Commission has disputed the interpretation of the reports and has maintained that the SIR decisions were taken with the Commission's approval. It has also taken steps to address concerns surrounding its electoral-roll technology and procedures.
Following the controversy, the ECI announced several measures concerning the electoral-roll process and technology. The Indian Express subsequently reported that some of the Commission's new decisions addressed concerns raised by the two Commissioners, while questions remained regarding issues such as Form 6 and West Bengal appeals.
Does this mean SIR is illegal?
Not automatically.
The reported disagreements between Election Commissioners do not by themselves invalidate the entire SIR exercise.
The legal questions are more specific: Were particular decisions properly authorised? Were the relevant electoral rules followed? Did the technology allow statutory election officials to exercise their legal powers? And were eligible voters given an effective opportunity to have their names included or restored?
These questions can be examined by the courts on a case-by-case basis.
The issue has now also reached the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear a petition challenging aspects of the functioning of the Election Commission and the nationwide SIR. The court's examination will be important in determining the legal significance of the reported internal objections.
KEY POINTS
• 14 objections: Two Election Commissioners reportedly raised objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months.
• Form 6: Questions were raised over changes to the new-voter registration process.
• ECINet: Concerns were raised about centralised control of the electoral database and restrictions faced by ground-level officials.
• Goa: The Indian Express reported that 97 voters found eligible by EROs remained absent from the final roll after software-related difficulties.
• West Bengal: Questions were raised over the authorisation of certain appeals filed in the ECI's name.
• Legal position: The internal objections do not automatically make SIR illegal. Specific actions and procedures can be challenged and examined by courts.
The larger question
For India's electoral system, the most important issue is ultimately straightforward:
Can every eligible citizen get onto the electoral roll, can every deletion be properly justified, and can the entire process be independently verified through a clear legal and technological audit trail?
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