India Orders Review of Voter List Software Amid Concerns

The Election Commission of India has directed a review of its voter-roll management software after reports surfaced about internal concerns over changes that led to the exclusion of millions of voters.

According to The Indian Express, two election commissioners expressed questions or concerns to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at least 14 times in the past 10 months. Most of these issues related to the process of updating voter lists, which started last year.

Opposition parties have accused the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating the voter rolls for political advantage. The Commission maintained that differences within the institution are normal and insisted that all actions taken were within the law.

In response to the controversy, the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other opposition groups have called for Kumar's resignation. The CJP announced plans for nationwide protests on October 2 if the chief did not resign by Saturday.

The Commission stated on Saturday that a new committee, comprising a senior election official and an independent technology expert, will review whether the software adheres to election laws and rules. Additionally, local officials will now visit voters with flagged discrepancies, instead of requiring them to go to government offices.