Overview

• Rahul Gandhi welcomed the EC’s decision to share electoral roll data for Haryana and Maharashtra since 2009 but pressed the commission to specify an exact hand-over date in a digital, machine-readable format.
• The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer clarified that voter lists are revised annually and shared free with all recognized parties at draft and final stages, with final rolls available on the EC website or by formal request.
• Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted a sudden addition of 41 lakh voters in five months and demanded post-5 PM CCTV footage from polling booths to justify a 7 percent jump in turnout.
• Congress leaders challenged the recent amendment to the EC appointment panel—replacing judicial oversight with political appointees—arguing it undermines the body’s independence.
• The Election Commission maintained that electoral rolls can be accessed under Rule 33 by applying to district election officers and paying a prescribed fee for retained copies.