India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declined to provide any information regarding the software used to identify errors, irregularities and anomalies within voter data in the course of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The ECI cited reasons related to commercial confidentiality, trade secrets and intellectual property under the RTI Act.
The ECI responded to an RTI application submitted by a social activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub, from Telangana, stating that there was no new software developed or purchased for the SIR process.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) denied an RTI request for software details used in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter data exercise, citing commercial confidentiality, despite stating no new software was purchased.
This came in response to the applicant seeking details of the type and version of software used in the SIR exercise, and whether the suspicious and irregular entries in the voter database are automatically identified.
The RTI application also sought to know if AI, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics or any other type of software was used.
The ECI referenced Section 8(1)(d) of the Right to Information Act, and stated that the information being requested pertained to commercial confidentiality, trade secrets and intellectual property information, and therefore would be detrimental to a third parties’ competitive position.
The commission added that any clarification on this matter would not constitute information under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.
Therefore, it cannot be concluded whether or not the ECI uses AI or any automated systems to identify irregularities within the voter register.
Final Decisions Made by Electoral Registration Officers
The ECI did go on to state that final decisions are made by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) after considering all of the facts.
The ECI referenced Sections 13B(1) and 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and stated that “the Returning Officer of the concerned assembly constituency (i.e. the ERO)” holds statutory responsibility for preparing and revising the electoral rolls.
When asked who reviews or approves irregularities raised by the system, the ECI referenced Section 8(1)(g) of the RTI Act which refers to information that may put people in danger, or expose confidential sources.
Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat recommended that an appeal should be made to the appropriate authority.
Software Used in Electoral Roll Revisions
The ECI’s answer has highlighted the software used in the process of revising the electoral rolls. The SIR process has come under scrutiny over the removal of names.
An investigation by The Indian Express found that Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi signed a number of written dissent and objections (at least 14 instances between November 2025 to August 2026). In addition, officials had limited access to ECI software as set by the central IT team.
The ECI have stated that differing opinions are an everyday occurrence. Their online systems are protected, with rigorous data security.
Hindustan Times reported that issues arose with the commission’s Electoral Registration Officer Network (ERONET) Portal during the SIR in West Bengal. This was reported by officials from the ECI’s IT department.
Although the ECI have confirmed no new software was purchased for the SIR, they have not identified what software is being used, therefore leaving questions over what software is being used to identify irregularities.
