CEC Gyanesh Kumar defends India’s robust voter list process at Stockholm conference

Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar championed India’s meticulous and open voter list preparation during a keynote speech at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity on Tuesday. Addressing over 50 global election management bodies, Kumar emphasized that India’s electoral rolls undergo annual revisions, with every addition or deletion meticulously documented and shared with recognized national and state political parties, ensuring legal compliance.

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Kumar highlighted the long-standing practice, dating back to 1960, of making electoral rolls accessible to parties, allowing them to raise objections, appeals, or claims. This transparency comes amid recent accusations from Opposition parties, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who alleged irregularities in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. The Election Commission has firmly rejected these claims, labeling them baseless and unfounded.

The CEC underscored India’s electoral system’s scale and diversity, pointing to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which saw participation from 743 political parties, including six national ones. He noted the involvement of over 200 million personnel, comprising police, polling staff, party agents, and observers making the Election Commission the world’s largest temporary organization during elections.

Kumar stressed that this vast workforce, rivaling the combined staff of several national governments and global corporations, enables millions of Indian voters to exercise their rights freely.

He also spoke about the Commission’s efforts in training election bodies worldwide, reinforcing India’s commitment to electoral integrity. Kumar’s address aimed to counter skepticism and showcase the nation’s democratic strength on an international stage, despite domestic controversies. The conference provided a platform to highlight how India manages its complex electoral landscape with accountability and inclusivity.