States » SouthPosted at: Oct 17 2026 11:53AM


Voter deletions without explanation raise SIR transparency concerns: Security Expert

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 17 (UNI) Unexplained deletions of names from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) could undermine public confidence in the electoral process unless adequate safeguards are in place to protect eligible voters, SCADA and Critical Information Infrastructure Security Specialist K. S. Manoj has warned.
In an article on electoral integrity, Manoj called for greater transparency in the revision process, effective grievance-redress mechanisms and independent scrutiny wherever credible evidence points to systematic errors. He said electoral roll accuracy should not be achieved at the cost of citizens' voting rights.
Manoj said his own name had been deleted from the electoral roll without the reason being communicated to him. Seeking clarification through the appropriate electoral procedures, he said his experience highlighted the need for authorities to explain decisions affecting voter registration and provide effective avenues for challenging disputed deletions.
He cautioned, however, that an individual case alone could not establish systemic irregularities, stressing the need for evidence-based examination of complaints.
While acknowledging that the removal of duplicate entries and correction of inaccurate records were essential to maintaining reliable electoral rolls, Manoj said the process must incorporate proper verification, adequate notice and sufficient opportunities for affected citizens to respond.
He warned that administrative haste and compressed deadlines could increase the possibility of wrongful exclusions. Migrant workers, elderly people, persons with disabilities and citizens with limited access to digital services could face particular difficulties in complying with documentation requirements and responding to discrepancies, he said.
Variations in names, changes of address and incomplete records could also lead to errors if entries were removed without adequate verification. Authorities must distinguish between ineligible entries and cases requiring further scrutiny, he added.
Referring to international standards, Manoj cited Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Committee's General Comment No. 25, which recognise the importance of protecting citizens' participation in public affairs and their right to vote without unreasonable restrictions.
He also pointed to the Venice Commission's Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters as a comparative reference for maintaining accurate electoral registers and providing effective correction and appeal procedures. Though not binding on India, these standards offer guidance on electoral administration, he said.
Manoj said the revision exercise must be assessed within the framework of Article 326 of the Constitution and the relevant electoral laws, with the Election Commission ensuring compliance with applicable legal provisions and procedural safeguards.
Drawing parallels with his work in industrial control systems and critical information infrastructure security, he said electoral databases required robust mechanisms for data integrity, traceability and accountability. Decisions to alter or remove records should have identifiable grounds, while disputed entries should receive appropriate scrutiny and errors should be corrected promptly.
He proposed an independent technical audit in cases where credible evidence indicated systematic discrepancies. Such an exercise could examine deletion patterns, objections, appeals and subsequent corrections, with due protection for voters' personal information.
Manoj also called for clear communication of the grounds for disputed deletions, accessible appeals and timely corrective action. Judicial scrutiny and independent examination, where warranted, could help determine whether the prescribed procedures had been followed and whether existing safeguards were effective.
He said neither all deletions should be presumed improper nor genuine complaints dismissed without examination.
Emphasising that electoral rolls were not merely administrative databases but instruments of democratic participation, Manoj said the success of electoral reform must be measured by its ability to ensure accuracy while protecting eligible citizens from wrongful exclusion.
The credibility of the electoral process, he said, ultimately depended on whether every eligible voter had a fair and effective opportunity to exercise the right to vote.
UNI DS
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