The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declined to provide details regarding the software used to identify errors and anomalies during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The poll body cited exemptions under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, stating that the information requested pertains to intellectual property, trade secrets, and commercial confidence. This decision has sparked discussions regarding transparency in the processes used to update the voter database.
The request was initiated by Telangana-based social activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub, who filed an RTI application seeking technical insights into how the commission identifies inconsistencies in voter records. Specifically, the activist requested the name and version of the software or AI platforms employed for the SIR exercise. Furthermore, the application inquired about the use of automated systems for flagging data, the safeguards implemented to prevent wrongful identification of electors, and the specific officials responsible for reviewing these flagged entries.
In its formal response dated October 16, the Election Commission stated that the requested details regarding software were exempt under Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act. This section covers information involving commercial confidence and trade secrets. The commission further clarified that no new software had been specifically developed or procured for the purpose of the SIR exercise. Regarding the process of inclusion or exclusion of names from the rolls, the commission maintained that such decisions are handled by electoral registration officers, who base their determinations on existing facts and official records.
Beyond the technical queries, the ECI also addressed the request for details on the officials reviewing anomalies. The commission invoked Section 8(1)(g) of the RTI Act to deny this information, arguing that disclosing such data could potentially endanger the safety or life of individuals or reveal confidential sources. Additionally, the poll panel dismissed several questions related to machine learning and AI, categorizing the inquiries as requests for clarification rather than requests for specific information as defined under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.
The controversy surrounding the software disclosure coincides with public scrutiny over the scale of the SIR exercise, which has reportedly seen 130 million names deleted from the national electoral rolls. Critics and activists have frequently raised questions about the methodology behind such massive updates, emphasizing the need for clarity in automated verification systems.
Responding to the ECI’s refusal, former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat suggested that the matter should be pursued through formal channels. According to reports, Rawat described the situation as a legal issue and advised the applicant to file an appeal with the competent authorities to seek the information that the commission has currently deemed exempt from disclosure.
As the situation stands, the ECI maintains that its refusal is compliant with existing legal frameworks surrounding commercial confidentiality. The development highlights a persistent tension between the use of advanced technological tools in public administration and the demand for institutional transparency. It remains to be seen whether the applicant will move forward with an appeal and how the appellate authorities will address the intersection of intellectual property rights and the right to information in the context of democratic electoral processes.
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