‘Vote chori’ is taking place via electoral rolls and not EVMs, Trinamool delegation says

The integrity of the electoral process is the bedrock of any functioning democracy. In India, a vibrant parliamentary democracy, debates surrounding the fairness and transparency of elections are a recurring feature. Recently, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation brought these concerns to the forefront, alleging that "vote chori" (vote theft) is occurring not through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), but rather through significant discrepancies in the electoral rolls.

This allegation stems from a long-standing concern about the accuracy and purity of voter lists. The TMC highlighted "logical discrepancies" that they claim affect approximately 1.36 crore voters. These issues include unreasonable age gaps between parents and children or grandparents, name and surname mismatches, and address-related problems. Such discrepancies, if widespread, can lead to both the disenfranchisement of eligible voters and the potential for fraudulent voting, thereby undermining the democratic process.

**Background Context and What Happened:** India's electoral system, overseen by the Election Commission of India (ECI), is one of the largest and most complex in the world. Since the introduction of EVMs in the late 1990s and their widespread use from 2004, there has been an ongoing debate about their susceptibility to tampering. Political parties, particularly opposition parties, have frequently questioned EVM reliability. However, the TMC's recent shift in focus to electoral rolls marks a significant development. While EVMs record votes, the electoral roll determines *who* can vote. Concerns about duplicate entries, names of deceased voters, or non-existent voters (phantom voters) have been raised periodically by various political parties and civil society groups over the years. The ECI undertakes regular summary revisions and special summary revisions of electoral rolls to update voter data, but challenges persist given the sheer scale of the Indian electorate.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:** The primary stakeholders in this issue are the **Trinamool Congress (TMC)**, as the complainant, representing a significant political voice and raising concerns on behalf of citizens. The **Election Commission of India (ECI)** is the central constitutional body responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament and state legislatures (Article 324 of the Constitution). Its role is crucial in investigating these allegations and ensuring the purity of the electoral process. **Voters** themselves are the ultimate stakeholders, whose fundamental right to vote depends on accurate electoral rolls. Finally, **other political parties** are also stakeholders, as the integrity of the electoral process affects all participants in the democratic contest.

**Why This Matters for India:** The allegations, if substantiated, have profound implications for India's democratic fabric. Firstly, it directly impacts the **integrity of democratic elections**. If electoral rolls are flawed, the principle of 'one person, one vote' is compromised, and election results may not truly reflect the will of the people. Secondly, it can lead to **voter disenfranchisement**, where eligible citizens are unable to cast their ballots due to errors in their entries or deletion from the rolls. Conversely, it creates avenues for **fraudulent voting** if rolls contain names of deceased or non-existent individuals. This erodes **public trust in institutions**, particularly the ECI, which is mandated to ensure free and fair elections. Such a loss of trust can lead to political instability and increased polarization, as losing parties may question the legitimacy of the entire process.

**Historical Context and Constitutional Provisions:** The purity of electoral rolls has been a subject of concern since the early days of Indian democracy. The **Representation of the People Act, 1950**, specifically deals with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. The ECI has implemented various measures over time to clean up rolls, including the issuance of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) in 1993 and attempts to link voter IDs with Aadhaar (though this faced legal challenges regarding privacy). The ECI regularly conducts Special Summary Revisions (SSRs) to update the rolls, adding new voters and deleting duplicate or deceased entries. Despite these efforts, the scale of the Indian electorate (over 900 million voters) makes maintaining perfectly accurate rolls a continuous challenge. Article 324 of the Indian Constitution grants the ECI vast powers to ensure free and fair elections, including the power to prepare and revise electoral rolls. Any perceived failure in this duty can invite scrutiny and legal challenges under the broader framework of electoral jurisprudence.

**Future Implications:** The ECI's response to the TMC's allegations will be critical. It may involve a thorough audit of the electoral rolls, potentially employing advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to identify and rectify discrepancies more efficiently. There could be renewed calls for comprehensive **electoral reforms** focusing on voter registration and roll management processes. This might include stricter verification mechanisms, enhanced public participation in the revision process, and possibly a re-evaluation of the Aadhaar-Voter ID linking initiative with stronger data protection safeguards. The political discourse around electoral integrity will likely intensify, potentially leading to further demands for transparency and accountability from the ECI. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the ECI in addressing these concerns will determine the future public confidence in India's electoral system and its democratic credentials on the global stage. It underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and continuous improvement in all facets of election administration.