Overview
- The ECI answered an RTI filed by activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub but on October 16 refused to disclose the name or version of software used in the Special Intensive Revision, citing Section 8(1)(d) for commercial confidence and trade secrets.
- The commission also treated questions about automatic flagging, AI, machine learning or predictive analytics as requests for clarification outside the RTI Act’s definition of ‘information,’ so it declined to confirm whether such tools were used.
- The ECI said no new software was developed or procured for SIR and stressed that Electoral Registration Officers are the statutory authorities who make final inclusion or exclusion decisions under Sections 13B(1) and 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act.
- Reporting has documented internal written dissents by two election commissioners and earlier technical problems tied to the ECI’s ERONET portal, which together raise questions about access to systems and how flagged records were handled.
- The SIR has removed about 130 million names from rolls, and because the ECI’s reply narrows available information to exemptions and legal citations, critics and the RTI applicant are expected to pursue appeals and further inquiries that could affect voter confidence.