Why in News
- The Election Commission (EC) launched a new e-sign feature on its ECINet portal and app for voter registration, deletion, and correction forms (Forms 6, 7, 8).
- Purpose: To curb fraudulent additions and deletions in electoral rolls, highlighted by recent reports of manipulated voter lists in Karnataka (Aland constituency) and Maharashtra (Rajura constituency).
- Feature rolled out in second week of September 2025; ECINet itself went live in June 2025 during bye-elections in Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal.
Relevance
- GS II (Polity & Governance): Electoral reforms, Representation of the People Act, voter rights, transparency.
- GS III (Governance & Technology): Digital governance, e-authentication, cybersecurity, service delivery.
Context
- ECINet: A one-stop digital platform integrating 40+ EC mobile and web applications.
- Target users: Individuals seeking:
- Registration as new voters (Form 6)
- Deletion from electoral rolls (Form 7)
- Corrections in voter details (Form 8)
- Old process: Submission possible after linking phone with EPIC number without Aadhaar verification.
- New process:
- Applicant fills form → redirected to CDAC-hosted portal.
- Enter Aadhaar number → OTP sent to Aadhaar-linked phone.
- Consent for Aadhaar-based authentication.
- Only after verification, redirected back to ECINet to complete form submission.
Why the Feature Was Needed
- Allegations of fraudulent deletion/addition of names in voter lists:
- Karnataka: 5,994 names allegedly removed ahead of elections.
- Aland (Kalaburagi): Forged Form 7 submissions reported.
- Rajura (Maharashtra): Fraudulent additions cited by Opposition.
- Ensures authenticity of applicant identity, linking EPIC and Aadhaar via OTP.
- Prevents unauthorised manipulation of electoral rolls and strengthens electoral integrity.
Technical & Administrative Details
- Hosted by CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing).
- Integrates with Aadhaar authentication system → secure e-sign for voter forms.
- Applicable to addition, deletion, and correction of voter data.
- Provides digital audit trail for applications → reduces disputes in elections.
Broader Implications
- Electoral Integrity: Reduces scope of tampering, ensures free and fair elections.
- Digital Governance: Shows EC’s shift towards technology-driven citizen services.
- Citizen Convenience: Applicants can complete verification remotely via OTP.
- Legal & Policy Alignment: Supports EC’s mandate under Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950 & 1951.
- Political Relevance: Opposition cites past fraudulent cases to highlight need; ruling parties can point to tech adoption as reform measure.
Challenges & Considerations
- Digital Divide: Not all voters may have Aadhaar-linked phones; rural/elderly population may face difficulties.
- Data Privacy: Linking voter rolls with Aadhaar raises concerns on personal data security.
- Implementation: Requires smooth integration across states and robust grievance redressal.
- Exclusions: Voters without Aadhaar may need alternative verification mechanisms.
