New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new digital safeguard, making e-sign verification compulsory for all online voter list modifications. From now on, citizens will be able to add, delete, or correct names in the electoral roll only through mobile numbers linked to their Aadhaar.
Until now, the process of updating voter lists through the Commission’s portal or mobile app allowed applicants to use any mobile number for verification. This loophole, officials admit, made the system vulnerable to misuse and irregularities. With the new mandate, only Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers can be used, ensuring stronger authentication and transparency.
The reform comes in the wake of allegations by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accused the system of being manipulated for political gain. He claimed that in Karnataka’s Aland constituency, over 6,000 names were wrongly deleted using the previous method. The ECI’s updated rules are seen as a direct response to such concerns.
The Commission clarified that the new requirement will apply to all online submissions of statutory forms:
• Form 6 – for addition of new names in the voter list.
• Form 7 – to oppose or request deletion of names from the voter list.
• Form 8 – to make corrections in existing details.
To complete any of these processes online, the applicant will now have to use an e-sign linked to their Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
Officials say the measure is aimed at preventing fraudulent practices and safeguarding citizens’ right to vote. By tightening digital verification, the Commission hopes to reduce instances of mass deletions, duplicate entries, or unauthorized alterations in electoral rolls.
The step also reflects the ECI’s broader push towards digitization with accountability,
While the opposition had flagged irregularities, the Commission’s move may now serve as a confidence-building measure ahead of upcoming state and national elections. Analysts believe that stricter verification will enhance trust in the electoral process, though questions remain about accessibility for citizens without Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers.
With this reform, the Election Commission has sent a clear message: digital participation in democracy must be secure, verifiable, and tamper-proof.