The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reached out to all national and state political parties, inviting suggestions on unresolved electoral issues and proposing direct interactions with top leaders. This initiative aims to strengthen the electoral framework and address concerns raised by multiple parties regarding discrepancies in voter lists and duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.
According to an official statement, the Commission will accept feedback from political parties until April 30, with an emphasis on compliance within the legal framework. Additionally, the ECI has urged political parties to nominate their representatives for specialized training programs designed for Booth Level Agents, polling agents, counting agents, and election agents. This training is intended to enhance their understanding of election processes and improve transparency.
The initiative follows concerns raised by opposition parties regarding alleged voter roll manipulations in recent elections. Last month, Delhi's assembly elections saw accusations of electoral roll tampering, while similar allegations emerged in Maharashtra’s state elections last year. The controversy surrounding duplicate EPIC numbers has also become a major point of debate in Parliament, with opposition leaders demanding a thorough discussion on the issue.
TMC MP Saugata Roy recently highlighted concerns over voter list discrepancies, pointing out instances of duplicate EPIC numbers in West Bengal and Haryana. In response, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla sought clarification on whether voter lists were prepared by the government. Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, echoed demands for a collective discussion on voter list discrepancies, citing concerns across multiple states, including Maharashtra.
In a letter issued on March 11, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Election Officers (DEOs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across states and union territories to engage regularly with political parties and address their concerns. The Commission has also requested an action report on measures taken to resolve electoral issues by March 31.
With ongoing scrutiny over electoral integrity, the ECI’s outreach is seen as an effort to foster dialogue with political parties and ensure that electoral processes remain transparent, inclusive, and legally sound.
