India’s Election Commission orders review of voter-roll software — Dawn

India’s Election Commission on September 26 ordered a review of the software used to manage voter rolls. As Dawn reports, the decision was made after a publication raised questions about changes to the rolls which, according to the newspaper, resulted in millions of voters being removed.

Software review

The commission said compliance of the software with election legislation and rules would be assessed by a committee headed by a senior election administration official. It will also include an independent technology expert.

Local officials will visit voters whose data showed discrepancies, instead of routinely requiring them to appear in person at government offices.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Opposition statements

The Indian Express reported this week that two members of the Election Commission raised issues or voiced concerns before Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at least 14 times over 10 months. This mostly concerned the voter-roll update procedure that began last year.

Opposition parties claim that voter rolls were manipulated in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. The Election Commission said differences were normal for any institution and that all its actions were lawful.

The opposition and the youth Cockroach Janta Party demand Kumar’s resignation. The CJP said it would hold nationwide protests on October 2 if he does not leave office by Saturday.