Poll Body Chief: India’s Election Process Is Among the Most Transparent in the World

India’s electoral process is among the most transparent in the world, according to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, because verification is done at every level, from electoral rolls to vote counting. He was giving a speech on Friday at the “Interaction with Booth Level Officers” session at Gujarat University’s Atal Kalam Hall.

“At every stage of India’s electoral process, political parties, candidates or their agents continuously carry out verification. Therefore, India’s electoral process is among the most transparent electoral processes in the world,” an official release quoted Kumar as saying.

According to him, political parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) participate in the ongoing verification of the election records. The CEC further stated that while making sure that qualified voters stay on the electoral records, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are in charge of identifying cases like Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate, and Foreigner (ASDDF).

According to him, the electoral records should contain the names of all eligible Indian citizens who have reached the age of eighteen. He explained the transparency of the election process by stating that EVMs and VVPATs are examined during a mock poll in front of candidates’ polling agents prior to polling.

According to the statement, the relevant paperwork is signed and the processes pertaining to the EVM results are finished in the presence of the candidates’ agents. It also stated that, in the presence of the candidates’ counting agents, the votes recorded in the EVMs are compared to the votes listed on Form 17C during the counting process.

The head of the poll authority stated that in order to preserve the correctness and purity of the rolls, the Election Commission periodically conducts the Special Intensive Revision procedure. He added that efforts are made to guarantee the accuracy of electoral rolls through procedures such the submission of relevant papers, mapping, and hearings. BLOs visit voters’ houses and engage directly with them to verify the necessary facts.

He urged BLOs to continue being actively involved in ensuring the accuracy of electoral rolls, saying that whenever they have a moment, they should check the electoral roll in their respective areas and make sure that the required steps are taken to add the names of young people who have reached the age of eighteen

This is one of the best services to the nation’s democracy, he claimed. Additionally, the CEC took part in the fifth regional conference on “Electoral Literacy Clubs and ECINETElectoral Literacy Clubs and ECINET” in Ahmedabad, which focused on raising young people’s knowledge of democracy and electoral literacy.

According to the announcement, Kumar encouraged the young people and members in attendance to download the “ECINET” app and assist their loved ones in registering new names on the electoral list. It further stated that the existence of Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) in schools and universities will help young people develop democratic values.

At the programme, Kumar engaged with over 1,000 members and stakeholders involved with the ELC. He highlighted India’s leadership of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, showcasing global acknowledgment of the country’s electoral integrity. Kumar urged that all eligible citizens over 18 should be registered to vote and emphasized the importance of participating in elections.