IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

10 Jun 2025 : Tighten the process

 Editorial 2: Tighten the process

Context

The Election Commission of India must promptly resolve valid issues related to voter rolls and ensure greater transparency.
                           

Introduction

Rahul Gandhi has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, pointing to unusual voter roll increases, suspicious turnout patterns after 5 p.m., and restricted access to polling CCTV footage. These issues, combined with questions about the appointment of Election Commissioners, highlight the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in India’s electoral processes.

 

Concerns Raised by Rahul Gandhi on Maharashtra 2024 Assembly Elections

  • Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, highlighted serious concerns about the conduct of elections, referencing the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
  • Specific issues raised include:
    • An unusual surge in the number of voters listed in electoral rolls between the general and Assembly elections.
    • Higher voter turnout recorded after 5 p.m. on voting day.
    • The Centre’s amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which restricts access to CCTV footageof polling.
  • Gandhi also questioned the appointment process of Election Commissioners, criticizing the Union government for not implementing the 2023 Supreme Court judgment recommending the Chief Justice of India be part of the selection panel.
  • While previous complaints about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been made by various parties (including BJP and Congress), most did not hold up under administrative and technological scrutiny.
  • The Congress is now focusing on deeper, more fundamental electoral process issues that warrant separate examination.

 

Analysis of Voter Increase and Turnout Figures

  • Voter Roll Increase:
    • Preliminary analysis by The Hindu reveals precedents of sharp voter roll increases before Assembly elections in States with closely timed general and Assembly elections.
    • Over 39 lakh new voters were added within six months after the general election before the Maharashtra Assembly polls in 2024.
    • Similar large increases were seen in 2014, indicating this surge may not be unprecedented.
    • However, adding nearly 4 million voters is substantial, prompting calls for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to release machine-readable electoral roll data for public verification.
  • Turnout after 5 p.m.:
    • Allegations of abnormal turnout increases post 5 p.m. lack strong evidence.
    • Provisional turnout data, dependent on manual entry during elections, are not fully reliable.
    • ECI data shows no significant increase in Maharashtra’s voting after 5 p.m.
    • Final, accurate turnout figures (Form 17C) are released after a delay, making reliance on provisional numbers problematic.

 

Issues Around Transparency and Access to Election Data

  • A key concern deserving ECI’s attention is the retention and accessibility of CCTV footage from polling stations.
  • Political parties and their candidates should be given access to CCTV footage to investigate complaintseffectively.
  • The electoral roll updating process must become more transparent and include opportunities for political party scrutiny and verification.
  • Political parties should actively engage during the roll revision process rather than raising issues only after election results.
  • Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the ECI to:
    • Enhance transparency in the entire electoral process.
    • Provide timely access to electoral rolls and retain CCTV footage for scrutiny by stakeholders.

 

Conclusion

Ensuring free and fair elections requires robust transparency and participation from all stakeholders. The Election Commission must proactively address concerns about voter roll updates, turnout data accuracy, and CCTV footage access. Political parties should engage actively during electoral preparations, while the government must implement reforms that strengthen the credibility and integrity of India’s democratic system.