Electoral irregularities: Tracing today’s allegations back to Kashmir’s 1987 polls

By Raqif Makhdoomi

The opposition Congress has alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is involved in electoral malpractice after the Election Commission of India (ECI) released the latest voter list. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, presented examples in which the same individual appeared multiple times on voter rolls in different locations. He cited instances from previous years, claiming that records show some voters have cast ballots in more than one constituency.

One example he highlighted was that of Shakun Rani, a 70-year-old woman whose name allegedly appears in voter lists at two locations and who is shown as having voted in both. Gandhi stated that she submitted Form 6 at both places on the same day, questioning how this was possible and suggesting that it may have been done without her knowledge.

Gandhi has called for the ECI to investigate these cases, but he alleges that instead of addressing the concerns, the Commission is attempting to silence him. He also claimed that the media has been focusing on unrelated issues, diverting public attention from the matter. According to him, there are also cases where dozens of people are registered at the same address or even in the same room, and some voters have their house number listed as “Zero,” possibly indicating homelessness.

Critics of the ECI argue that its current leadership lacks independence. They note that changes in the selection panel for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) — particularly the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the process — have given the ruling party greater influence in appointments. The current CEC has previously served in roles connected to major government initiatives, such as the abrogation of Article 370, the Ram Mandir issue, and the Triple Talaq legislation, and has been associated with the Ministry of Home Affairs during Amit Shah’s tenure. Opponents argue that this raises concerns about impartiality.

The Congress has also staged protests over the issue, but several of its leaders were detained. Observers point out that the right to vote is one of the most important democratic tools available to citizens, and allegations of voter list manipulation or wrongful deletion could undermine public confidence in elections.

As someone from Kashmir, I note that the Congress has referred to the region as a “testing ground” for BJP policies. However, history shows that earlier governments, including those led by Congress, have also faced allegations of electoral irregularities in Kashmir. The 1987 Jammu and Kashmir elections, for instance, have long been cited by political analysts and eyewitnesses as a case of large-scale rigging. Individuals who were directly involved in the polls at the time — including booth in-charges — have recounted incidents of candidates being harassed or assaulted. Many of the political figures active in 1987 later held important ministerial positions.

The 1987 election is widely regarded as a turning point in Kashmir’s political landscape, contributing to a deep erosion of trust in democratic institutions in the region. While Gandhi has been vocal about alleged irregularities in the current voter rolls — sometimes referred to in political discussions as SIR — he has not made similar efforts to address the unresolved grievances from the 1987 elections. The political fallout from that time continues to shape perceptions of electoral fairness in Kashmir.

If the current allegations of irregularities are proven true, they may be seen as part of a longer pattern of electoral practices in India, with parallels to past controversies such as the 1987 Kashmir elections. Addressing both present and historical concerns may be necessary to restore faith in the democratic process.

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Raqif Makhdoomi is a law student and human rights activist

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