Dr. Ambedkar’s Warning on Electoral Integrity
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar warned against government interference in electoral rolls, stressing the importance of independence in elections.
He emphasized that electoral rolls should be free from manipulation based on racial, cultural, or linguistic exclusions, as part of ensuring democracy.
Unexplained Voter Enrollment Surge in Maharashtra
In the 2024 Maharashtra State elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) enrolled 9.7 crore voters, exceeding the adult population estimate by 16 lakh.
A surge of 48 lakh new voters were registered in just six months between the Lok Sabha and State elections, a significant spike compared to the previous years.
Electoral Manipulation Concerns
The BJP-led alliance gained 72 lakh more votes in the State elections, raising suspicions that many of the newly enrolled voters may have favored this alliance.
The exact number of new voters (48 lakh) and their alignment with the BJP raises questions about potential executive interference or fraud in the voter registration process.
Need for Transparency and Aadhaar Verification
There are concerns over whether these new voters were properly verified, and whether they were real voters or "ghost" voters.
To ensure fairness and accuracy, the use of Aadhaar for voter verification and de-duplication of electoral rolls is recommended, a measure that could strengthen India's democratic processes.
The ECI must address these concerns transparently to maintain the integrity of India's elections.
COMMENTS