Full Breakdown
Verification Drive Puts India’s Election Commission Under Scrutiny
By Drooid · · How we work
Scope and Impact of the Voter-Roll Review
India’s effort to verify the eligibility of roughly a billion voters began last year ahead of elections in Bihar and has now expanded to most states. Local media reported that the first draft list excluded about 130 million people, requiring them to prove eligibility before enrollment. Election Commission of India (ECI) data showed that 6.5 million voters were removed during Bihar’s revision, while local reports from Uttar Pradesh indicated that 13 percent of names were deleted after verification began in October 2025.
Opposition Allegations and Institutional Response
Opposition parties, including the Congress party, have alleged that the roll-cleaning benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is biased. The Indian Express said two senior election commissioners raised concerns with Kumar at least 14 times over ten months, but the commission described the differences as “normal” and asserted that all actions were lawful. India’s Supreme Court has also expressed worry that some eligibility notices were “machine generated” without human review, according to local reporting.
Adjustments to the Verification Process
In response, the Election Commission announced a software review led by a senior election official and an independent technology expert. The commission also said local officials will conduct home visits to collect verification documents, replacing the prior requirement for voters to appear at government offices. A rare press conference by Kumar last year invited opponents to submit their allegations under oath, and the commission has extended the deadline for final verification in several states.
Planned Protests
The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has warned it will launch nationwide protests on October 2 if Kumar does not resign, echoing earlier nationwide demonstrations by the Congress party demanding his removal.
Outlook for Upcoming Elections
At least seven Indian states, including the bellwether Uttar Pradesh, are slated to hold elections next year. The verification drive and the commission’s procedural changes are expected to shape voter eligibility and political dynamics ahead of those contests.
