Maharashtra CEO Seeks ECINet Changes During SIR
Chockalingam seeks greater discretion for EROs as Maharashtra remains in notice phase of electoral roll revision
- Maharashtra CEO seeks greater ERO discretion in SIR cases.
- ECINet has flagged several cases as “logical discrepancies”.
- BLOs will collect documents from voters at their homes.
- ECI has ordered a technical review of ECINet.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 29th Sept: Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam has approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking changes in the ECINet software to give Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) greater flexibility while processing notices issued during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The request comes amid an ongoing debate over the functioning of the ECI’s digital systems and the extent of decision-making powers available to field-level electoral officials. Maharashtra is currently in the notice phase of the SIR exercise.
According to reports, Chockalingam has sought greater discretion for EROs in cases involving “logical discrepancies”. These discrepancies can arise when the software identifies mismatches while attempting to link an elector with a parent or grandparent in the previous SIR roll, including differences in names or age. Such a mismatch by itself does not establish that a person is ineligible to vote.
The Maharashtra CEO has also sought an option allowing EROs to exempt individuals from personal hearings when they are satisfied with the documents submitted. EROs, generally officers of SDM rank, are responsible under the electoral framework for preparing and maintaining voter rolls and deciding claims and objections.
The concerns echo issues previously raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding the functioning of the electoral roll software and the extent of centralised control over systems used by EROs. Reports have highlighted concerns over whether the software provides sufficient flexibility to statutory field-level authorities.
The Election Commission, after a full Commission meeting on September 26, announced changes to the handling of notices issued for unmapped electors and logical discrepancies.
Under the revised process, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit the homes of such electors, collect the required documents and upload them on ECINet for consideration by the ERO. Personal hearings will generally not be required, except in exceptional cases where the ERO considers one necessary.
The Commission has also announced a technical review of ECINet, with a committee involving a senior election official and an independent technology expert from an IIT or IIIT.
The Maharashtra draft electoral roll was published on August 31, with the revision process resulting in a significant reduction in the number of electors listed in the draft roll. The final roll is scheduled to be published after the claims and objections process.
According to Chockalingam, more than two crore names removed from the draft roll relate largely to electors classified as dead or shifted, while the verification and notice process continues.
The developments come as the ECI seeks to balance software-driven verification with the statutory role of election officials in determining voter eligibility.
