Shivanand Pandit
Amid a heated controversy surrounding the issue of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), the Election Commission of India (ECI) took a significant step on March 11, 2025, by inviting the leaders and senior members of all political parties for an interaction aimed at “further strengthening electoral processes.” In a move to address ongoing concerns at the local level, the ECI also extended an invitation for all National and State political parties to submit their suggestions on unresolved electoral issues by April 30, 2025.
The controversy surrounding duplicate Voter ID numbers first came to light when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) highlighted the issue, releasing a list of individuals who appeared to share the same Electoral Photo Identity Card numbers. This sparked further accusations from the Congress Party, which had previously alleged large-scale manipulation of voter lists during the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The matter gained even more traction when Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, raised concerns in the Lok Sabha, calling for a discussion on the integrity of the voter lists. This led to growing calls from the Opposition for a comprehensive review and debate on the accuracy of voter rolls and the overall credibility of the electoral process.
In response to the concerns, the ECI sent individual letters to political parties on March 11, 2025, addressing the ongoing issues. The Commission referenced several key legal provisions, including the Representation of the People Act of 1950 and 1951, the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960, and the Conduct of Election Rules of 1961. It reiterated that the legal framework for conducting free and fair elections is strong, decentralised, and transparent. Additionally, the ECI highlighted that various Supreme Court rulings, along with the instructions, manuals, and handbooks issued by the Commission (all of which are publicly accessible on the ECI’s official website), have collectively created a comprehensive system for overseeing elections. The Election Commission also clarified that its recent invitation to political parties for discussions was part of its continuous efforts to “further strengthen electoral processes” within the legal framework. The Commission emphasised that political parties are vital stakeholders in the electoral process and play an essential role in upholding the integrity of elections. This acknowledgement of political parties as key participants aligns with the ECI’s broader mandate, which is grounded in the Constitution and various statutory frameworks that govern elections in India.
In addition to the invitation for direct interaction, the ECI had earlier held a conference with State and Union Territory (UT) level officials. During this conference, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Election Officers (DEOs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across all States and UTs to conduct regular interactions with political parties. These interactions aim to address any suggestions or grievances put forward by political parties, with an emphasis on resolving issues strictly within the established legal framework. The ECI also instructed these officials to submit an action taken report by March 31, 2025, to provide transparency and accountability in the resolution process.
The ECI’s call for regular interactions at the local level is designed to ensure that the concerns of political parties, especially those related to the conduct of elections, are addressed promptly and effectively. Furthermore, the Election Commission has encouraged political parties to actively engage with this decentralised mechanism, suggesting that such interactions will be essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral system. The Election Commission’s call for political parties to engage in discussions about electoral processes, along with its request for suggestions on unresolved local issues, demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring transparency and trust in the electoral system. At the same time, the ECI is stressing the need to adhere to the legal framework governing elections, ensuring that any reforms or resolutions are carried out in line with established laws and guidelines. By prioritising regular interactions at the state and local levels, the Commission aims to create a more open and responsive electoral system that can effectively address the concerns of all stakeholders.
Gracious Gesture
The recent initiative by the newly appointed commissioners of the ECI to engage with political party representatives and leaders to “strengthen electoral processes” is a commendable step forward. This move comes as a response to the growing number of complaints and concerns raised by the Opposition, particularly regarding voter registration, voter turnout, and other significant aspects related to the administration of elections. To address these issues, the ECI has not only called for interactions with political parties but has also encouraged them to submit suggestions on relevant matters. Additionally, the ECI has directed provincial election officials to engage regularly with party representatives.
In the past, however, the ECI has often been seen as adopting a defensive and dismissive approach when responding to the Opposition’s complaints, even on legitimate concerns such as delays in the publication of voter turnout data. On some occasions, the Commission has even reprimanded its critics, which has only led to an increase in distrust among political parties. The Opposition, in particular, has raised suspicions regarding the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), leading to a growing atmosphere of scepticism among a significant portion of the electorate. In light of this, the ECI could have done more to reassure voters about the security and reliability of electronic voting.
Other pressing issues require urgent attention. For example, the regulation of electoral campaigns, measures to combat hate speech, and the timing of elections at various levels are all subjects that need a thorough review. The ECI should be open to the critique of its functioning on these issues and work to improve its processes. Furthermore, there are concerns surrounding the structure of the Election Commission itself, particularly the process of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner. While this matter is currently under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court, it remains a key point of debate.
One of the defining features of Indian democracy since its independence has been the evolution of the Election Commission and its autonomous role in overseeing the conduct of regular elections. This has led to a significant increase in voter participation and greater trust in the electoral process. As the electoral system has evolved, the ECI has prioritized transparency, accountability, and the timely release of reliable, verifiable information related to elections. However, despite these positive developments, there are still areas that require attention. For instance, issues related to duplicate voter identification numbers across states, while mostly trivial as the ECI has stated, are still a cause for concern. More serious issues, such as voters being registered in multiple polling locations, need to be rectified.
Additionally, the ECI must ensure that the electoral playing field remains level during campaigns so that there is no unfair advantage for the ruling party. This is a complaint that has been raised by Opposition parties in various states. Regular interactions with political party representatives and a transparent release of verifiable election-related information would go a long way in addressing the fears and concerns about the integrity of India’s electoral process.
Nevertheless, the ECI’s recent decision to invite political parties for discussions should be viewed with a degree of scepticism. Given its previous attitude towards criticism and suggestions, one cannot help but wonder why the ECI has chosen to change its stance now. Despite this, it is an opportunity that the Commission should seize. To ensure greater transparency and accountability, the ECI should take several steps.
First, ahead of every general election, say six months prior, the President, through the Cabinet Secretary at the Centre, and the Governor, through the Chief Secretary at the State level, should publish a detailed report on the “Status of the Nation” or “Status of the State.” This report should be written in simple terms and should provide an overview of the state of the nation in areas such as finance, education, agriculture, industrial development, foreign relations, and defence. Such a report would allow citizens to understand the state of the country’s affairs without any involvement from the ruling or Opposition parties.
Second, every political party should be required to publish its manifesto well in advance of the elections, outlining the expected time-bound results that they aim to achieve. These manifestos should be subject to scrutiny in a court of law, ensuring that political promises are made with a clear understanding of their feasibility and timelines.
While conducting elections in the world’s largest democracy is undoubtedly a complex and challenging task, the Election Commission of India has consistently worked to ensure that all aspects of the electoral process are handled meticulously. However, there have been instances when the ECI has been accused of displaying bias in favour of the ruling party. The invitation to political parties for talks is a golden opportunity for the Opposition to air their views and discuss critical issues in detail. At the same time, the ECI should adopt an open and receptive approach, actively listening to the grievances of the Opposition. It is high time that the ECI works towards dispelling the perception that it is merely an instrument of the ruling government and instead establishes itself as an independent and impartial body, committed to upholding the integrity of India’s electoral process.
