How the Election Commission identifies and purges duplicate electoral roll entries

For eliminating voter duplication, the Election Commission of India (ECI) adopts a strategy comprising digitisation of voter databases, automatic matching of voter details using algorithms, and field verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Post the directives issued by Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa prior to the publication of draft electoral roll, double registrations being detected through SIR process are being rectified by election authorities in respective districts.

1. Matching using AI through ECINET portal

Unified ECINET Portal of ECI consolidates voter lists of all states and Union territories into a single database.

Automated screening: The software algorithms match the national database to detect two anomaly reports – Photo Similar Entries (PSE) and Demographic Similar Entries (DSE).

Data matching parameters: The system detects potential matches after screening image similarity along with name, relative details, age, and address.

Review process: The Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) screen the matches and classify them as positive matches, no matches, or doubtful cases requiring physical verification.

2. Elimination of duplicate EPIC numbers

To rectify mistakes resulting out of earlier decentralized issuance process, the ECI conducted nationwide campaign for allocation of uniform EPIC numbers to voters.

The election authorities explained that the duplicate alphanumeric EPIC series was the result of overlapping administrative history and not due to the creation of fraudulent voters. The voters were assigned unique EPIC numbers after checking throughout the country.

3. Voluntary identity verification and field deletion process

As per the statutory process, an ERO cannot delete any entry solely based on matching through algorithms. Physical verification is statutorily compulsory.

Ground verification: The BLO visits the address physically and checks whether the elector actually resides there.

Statutory deletion notice: In case of duplication at different addresses or polling stations, the entry of the old address is deleted using Form 7 after serving a statutory notice to the elector.

Inter-state coordination: For cross-constituency or inter-state duplications, coordination must be obtained between the respective districts' election authorities before deletion of the record.