The Election Commission of India (ECI) is concerned about the integrity of electoral rolls in Maharashtra, particularly in 2025, due to concerns over voter verification processes and enrollment legitimacy. The 2024 election saw a significant increase in voter registration, but ECI dismissed these irregularities. Integrating Aadhaar cards could strengthen electoral enrollments and reduce duplicates.
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Picture Courtesy: The Hindu
The Election Commission of India faces concerns over Maharashtra's electoral roll integrity, underlining the need for Aadhaar integration to protect democracy.
The Election Commission of India was established on 25th January 1950. 25th January 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the day is also celebrated as National Voters Day. However, on this 75th anniversary, the ECI has little to celebrate due to concerns about the integrity of electoral rolls, particularly in Maharashtra.
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Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while introducing the Constitutional provision to set up the Election Commission of India (ECI) in June 1949 has expressed deep concerns about the manipulation of electoral rolls, particularly warning against the exclusion of certain communities or the mass inclusion of voters to alter election results. He stressed the need for an electoral system that is free from political interference and discrimination to ensure that voters’ inclusion or exclusion. He wanted a system where the process of voter inclusion or exclusion would be fair and unbiased, free from racial, cultural, or linguistic prejudices. His vision appears to conflict with recent developments in the Maharashtra State elections. Reports suggest that there have been possible manipulations in the electoral process, including the inclusion and exclusion of voters in ways that could influence election outcomes. This raises concerns about whether the principles Ambedkar advocated for in 1949 are being upheld today. |
In the 2024 Maharashtra State election, the Election Commission enrolled 9.7 crore voters, which was 16 lakh more than the total estimated adult population of Maharashtra (9.54 crore). This mass inclusion was highly unusual since the ECI did not enroll nearly as many voters for the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections held just six months earlier.
Between the 2024 Lok Sabha and State elections, 48 lakh new voters were registered in just six months, which is a significant increase compared to the previous five years, during which only 32 lakh new voters were enrolled. This raises questions about how and why such a large number of voters registered specifically for the State election.
Several activists have said that 48 lakh new voters were enrolled and appear to have supported only one alliance, which raises suspicions about the credibility of the enrollment process.
Case study of Tuljapur assembly constituency in MaharashtraThe 6,090 voter registration applications in the constituency were rejected due to differences. Authorities have found that the applicants were not residing in the villages or areas mentioned in their applications, and their Aadhaar cards were found to be bogus. |
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for ensuring free and fair elections by managing voter registration, conducts elections, and ensures that the electoral process is transparent and free from irregularities.
The Election Commission has dismissed the reported irregularities in Maharashtra state election. However, several questions arise: Were these 48 lakh new voters genuine? Were their documents verified adequately? How is it possible that such a large number of new voters emerged only for one alliance?
The ECI has yet to offer a satisfactory explanation, and their silence on the matter only adds to the concerns, which erode trust in the electoral process.
The Election Commission of India should answer the concerns raised over the authenticity of voter verification process and electoral role to maintain public trust and integrity of the electoral process.
Integrating Aadhaar card with electoral rolls would strengthen the credibility of electoral enrollments, it will reduce the chances of duplicate or false voter registrations, and ensure that only eligible voters participate in elections. Over 650 million Aadhaar numbers have been linked with electoral rolls.
A transparent and accountable ECI is crucial in restoring public confidence. By addressing concerns like those raised in Maharashtra, the ECI can ensure that the electoral process remains fair and unbiased, which is essential for a functioning democracy.
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