Key Assertions by CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- India’s electoral roll preparation is one of the most rigorous and transparent exercises globally.
- Elections in India are conducted under the continuous scrutiny of:
- Political parties
- Candidates
- Voters
- Police
- Media
- These stakeholders act as “concurrent auditors” throughout the process.
Relevance : GS 2(Electoral Reforms)
Mechanism of Electoral Roll Preparation
- Since 1960, electoral rolls have been:
- Annually shared with all recognised political parties
- Open to claims, objections, and appeals
- This transparency ensures accuracy and integrity in voter lists and reduces scope for manipulation.
Response to Allegations
- The CEC’s comments come after allegations of “industrial-scale rigging” by opposition leaders regarding the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election.
- While not naming the political leader, the address serves as an institutional rebuttal, asserting procedural robustness.
India’s Electoral Machinery: Scale and Strength
- Conducting elections in India is a massive logistical and administrative task:
- Over 20 million personnel involved: polling staff, security forces, observers, party agents.
- Bigger than the combined workforce of many governments and multinational corporations.
- Ensures that nearly 1 billion electors can freely vote.
Global Electoral Leadership
- India’s Election Commission showcased as a model for electoral integrity at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity.
- Over 100 participants from ~50 countries attended the event — positioning India as a benchmark in democratic process management.
Significance for Democracy
- Reinforces the institutional credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Highlights the importance of transparency and inclusiveness in maintaining public trust in electoral democracy.
- Underscores India’s commitment to free, fair, and robust elections amid rising global concerns of electoral manipulation.
