Is the Election Commission of India accountable for errors in electoral rolls?

By Harasankar Adhikari

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for 2025–26 in several states, presenting it as a measure to strengthen the foundations of Indian democracy. Periodic revision of electoral rolls is indeed a constitutional responsibility of the ECI, mandated under Articles 324–329 of the Constitution, and is essential for ensuring free and fair elections in a country of India’s scale and diversity.

Historically, institutions such as the Planning Commission, and later NITI Aayog, and exercises like the decennial Census have played key roles in governance and data collection. Similarly, the ECI, established in 1951, functions throughout the year with the support of state-level machinery to manage voter registration, corrections, deletions, and transfers. These processes are meant to follow established procedures involving verification at multiple levels, including booth, assembly, and district levels.

In this context, questions arise regarding the timing and scope of the current SIR exercise, particularly as comprehensive revisions in some regions were last undertaken more than two decades ago. Electoral roll revisions inevitably affect large numbers of voters, and for many, the process can involve uncertainty, documentation requirements, and time-consuming hearings. This highlights the need for clarity, transparency, and public communication to minimise inconvenience and anxiety among electors.

Voter identity cards are issued after verification by officials appointed by the ECI, such as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant EROs, and Booth Level Officers (BLOs). When discrepancies are later identified, it is reasonable to examine whether existing verification mechanisms were adequate and whether procedural gaps contributed to errors. Strengthening verification at the initial stage of registration may help reduce the need for corrective exercises that place additional burdens on voters.

Concerns are also periodically raised about the presence of ineligible names on electoral rolls, particularly in border states. Addressing such issues requires coordinated institutional oversight rather than retrospective corrective action alone. Since electoral officials operate under the supervision of the ECI, accountability mechanisms within the system merit continuous review.

The ECI’s operational dependence on state government personnel is another structural issue often discussed. While this arrangement has enabled nationwide election management, it also raises questions about administrative capacity and oversight at the local level. Some observers suggest that dedicated block-level or sub-district monitoring mechanisms could improve supervision and consistency in electoral roll management.

Ultimately, the credibility of democratic institutions depends not only on the integrity of elections but also on public confidence in the processes leading up to them. Ensuring that electoral revisions are conducted efficiently, transparently, and with minimal disruption to voters is essential. Periodic assessment of institutional practices, alongside constructive public debate, can help strengthen the electoral system and reinforce trust in democratic governance.

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog