Explained: Is EC's e-sign check for voter deletion a result of Rahul Gandhi's pressure?

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, today stated that the Election Commission of India (EC) only addressed the issue of "vote theft" after he brought it to their attention, in response to the poll panel's introduction of a new 'e-sign' feature, as reported by The Indian Express, which said the EC had launched a new 'e-sign' feature on its ECINet portal and app for individuals looking to register as voters or for those applying for deletions and corrections.

Applicants will now receive one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to their Aadhaar-linked phone numbers to confirm their identities.

Background: Allegations of voter fraud

On September 18, the Indian National Congress leader alleged that around 6,000 voters in Aland, Karnataka, were targeted for deletion from voter lists before the 2023 state Assembly elections. He claimed that fraudulent applications were submitted using stolen voter identities, often through a "centralised operation" resembling a "call centre" outside Karnataka.

These applications misused the identities of voters (typically the first voter listed at a booth) to request deletions without their knowledge.

Previous system vulnerability, introduction of ‘e-sign’ feature

Earlier, the EC’s online system allowed anyone to submit voter deletion forms by linking a phone number to an Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number, without verifying whether the phone number belonged to the voter. This loophole enabled fraudulent deletions, as fake phone numbers could be used to obtain one-time passwords (OTPs) for submitting deletion requests.

In response to these allegations, the EC introduced a new ‘e-sign’ feature on its ECINet portal and app, effective just before September 24. This feature requires voters to verify their identity using their Aadhaar-linked phone numbers when registering as voters or applying for deletions or corrections to the voter list.

By mandating OTPs sent to Aadhaar-linked numbers, the EC aims to ensure that only legitimate voters can make such requests, reducing the risk of identity misuse.

ECINet portal

The ECINet portal, launched earlier this year, consolidates around 40 previous EC apps and portals, including ERONet (used by Electoral Registration Officers since 2018). It streamlines voter-related processes like registration, deletions, and corrections.

Context of the Aland case: Scale of 'fraud'

In Aland, 6,018 deletion applications were filed online between December 2022 and February 2023, targeting voters across 254 polling booths. After verification prompted by Congress leader BR Patil, the EC found that only 24 of these were genuine (voters who had moved or died), while 5,994 were fraudulent, with 2,494 voters actually deleted before the 'fraud' was detected.

In February 2023, the EC filed an FIR after verifying the fraudulent applications. The Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the case, which has revealed that nearly 100 SIM cards, registered under fake IDs, were used to submit these deletion requests.

The applications often used the identity of the first voter on a booth’s list, paired with different phone numbers for each request.

The CID has faced difficulties due to the EC’s limited cooperation in providing detailed data, such as IP logs, device IDs, and OTP trails. Despite sharing some information in September 2023, the EC has not responded to further CID requests, prompting Karnataka to consider legal action to obtain the necessary data.

Rahul Gandhi reacts

Gandhi criticised the EC, sarcastically noting that the new e-signature feature was introduced only after the Congress exposed the 'fraud'. He also pressed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to provide evidence to aid the CID’s investigation, accusing the EC of shielding those responsible for the 'fraud'.

EC’s defence

The EC rejected Gandhi’s claims of widespread voter deletion, stating that no deletions can occur online without providing the affected voter with an opportunity to appeal. It highlighted that the Aland fraud was detected and an FIR was filed in 2023, emphasising its commitment to addressing such issues.

In the interest of democracy

The Aland case raised alarms about targeted voter suppression, particularly in Congress strongholds with significant Dalit and minority voters. Such tactics could influence election outcomes by disenfranchising specific voter groups.

The incident underscores the need for robust safeguards in India’s electoral system to prevent misuse of digital tools. The e-sign feature is a step toward ensuring transparency and security in voter list management.

Linking voter verification to Aadhaar numbers, although voluntary, is part of broader discussions about using Aadhaar to clean electoral rolls, sparking debates about privacy and accessibility.

The introduction of the e-signature feature reflects the EC’s attempt to address vulnerabilities in its digital systems amid growing scrutiny over electoral fairness. However, the ongoing investigation in Karnataka and the EC’s reluctance to fully cooperate with the CID highlight challenges in ensuring accountability.

The controversy also fuels political tensions, with opposition parties, such as Congress, accusing the EC of bias, while the EC defends its processes as transparent and rule-based. This story highlights the delicate balance between leveraging technology for electoral efficiency and safeguarding against 'fraud', a critical issue in India’s democratic process.