Context: Electoral Roll Concerns in Maharashtra
- A sudden increase of 40 lakh voters in Maharashtra between the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections raised questions.
- By comparison, only 32 lakh voters were added over the previous five years in the state.
- This pattern appeared statistically inconsistent with past trends and population growth rates, especially considering declining fertility rates.
Relevance : GS 2(Elections -Reforms)
Key Arguments by Analysts
- Praveen Chakravarty (data expert):
- The spike in new voters over a few months exceeds typical demographic trends.
- Questions the process of verification and documentation for newly enrolled voters.
- Argues that voter list data should be provided in machine-readable formats to enable better scrutiny.
- Also called for CCTV footage post-5 p.m. on polling days due to observed surges in turnout.
- R. Rangarajan (public policy expert):
- Acknowledges that a 40 lakh increase is unusual, but notes similar short-term increases occurred in previous election years.
- Points out that changes like quarterly cut-off dates for enrolment could partially explain the spike.
- Emphasises that both wrongful inclusions and exclusions need attention.
- Stresses the importance of transparency and political party participation in maintaining robust rolls.
Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Position
- Maintains that tampering with voter rolls is nearly impossible due to existing checks.
- Called for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of rolls in Bihar and other states to improve accuracy and transparency.
- Suggested political parties could have used the existing appeals process if they found anomalies.
Broader Electoral Roll Issues
- Discrepancies may arise from:
- Delays or inefficiencies in field verification.
- Shifts in enrolment cut-off dates.
- Issues with documentation and data processing.
- There is growing demand for:
- Digital and accessible voter roll formats.
- Better tracking of voter additions and deletions.
- Enhanced mechanisms to reduce duplicates without wrongful exclusions.
Ongoing Efforts and Recommendations
- The upcoming Special Intensive Revisions (SIRs) aim to:
- Ensure that all eligible citizens are included.
- Remove ineligible or duplicate entries.
- Introduce more transparency in voter list management.
- Experts suggest:
- Independent audits of electoral rolls.
- Public awareness and participation in revision processes.
- Stronger coordination between the ECI and all political stakeholders to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
The discussion highlights the importance of accurate and trustworthy electoral rolls. While questions have been raised about recent trends, experts agree that solutions lie in data transparency, procedural reforms, and collaborative oversight, not just in reactive allegations.
