The Election Commission of India is changing its voter verification process, with officials now conducting door-to-door document collection to reduce public burden. This move follows internal administrative disputes regarding IT oversight and data management. To support this transition, the commission has extended electoral registration deadlines for voters in Delhi and Maharashtra.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a significant shift in its voter verification strategy, aiming to ease the compliance burden on citizens while resolving internal governance challenges. Under the new guidelines, Booth Level Officers will transition to a door-to-door model, visiting households to collect and upload necessary documentation. This replaces the previous requirement for voters to visit designated election offices, a change expected to benefit residents, including in Delhi, where many voters were previously issued notices for verification. For those unable to be present, the commission has introduced provisions for authorized adult representatives to appear on their behalf, while mobile help desks are being established for vulnerable populations.
The policy shift also addresses internal tensions within the commission. Recent reports highlighted friction between Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and fellow commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, specifically concerning the oversight of the ECINet software and IT division management. To restore procedural stability and ensure rigorous oversight, the commission has established a special committee led by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner. This panel, which will incorporate technical experts from institutions such as IIT or IIIT, has been tasked with reviewing data centralization practices and ensuring the ECINet system meets all statutory compliance requirements.
Moving forward, the commission has implemented a new internal governance structure requiring all future IT modules to be vetted by a dedicated Committee of Officers before final approval. This move is designed to curb the unilateral decision-making that reportedly triggered the recent discord. By formalizing these checks, the ECI aims to stabilize its administration.
Recognizing the need for administrative breathing room during this operational transition, the ECI has extended deadlines for electoral registration filings in key states. The window for claims and objections in Delhi is now extended through October 30, 2026, with a final disposal date of November 30. Similarly, the timeline for Maharashtra has been pushed to October 12, 2026, allowing officials until November 10 to conclude the necessary processing. These changes are part of a broader effort to stabilize the commission’s administration as it manages ongoing electoral registration requirements.