The Election Commission of India has introduced stricter rules for voter name deletion. From now, every deletion will require Aadhaar-linked mobile verification and e-sign through OTP. This move aims to prevent wrongful deletions and ensure transparency.
The update comes after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale "vote chori" during Bihar's Special Intensive Revision. He accused the ECI of deleting names of minorities and underprivileged voters. The Commission firmly rejected these claims.
Despite the denial, Rahul Gandhi held a yatra in Bihar to raise awareness about alleged vote chori. His campaign sparked nationwide debate, even as the government and ECI maintained that no deliberate deletions took place.
Taking note of the controversy, the ECI has now issued mandatory guidelines for deletions. With smartphones reaching even the poorest households, voters can check their status easily and raise objections if their names are removed without consent.