NEW DELHI, OCT 25 (PTI): The Congress on Sunday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of withholding information about its ECINET software, alleging that disclosure would expose “massive, centralised manipulation” during the “disastrous” Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The opposition party reiterated its demand for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and immediate suspension of the exercise.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh shared a media report claiming that the ECI had declined to disclose the name and version of the software used to identify errors and anomalies in voter rolls during the SIR. The Commission reportedly cited “commercial confidence, trade secrets and intellectual property” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh alleged that ECINET was at the “heart of the disastrous SIR” and had been used to centralise manipulation of electoral rolls. He said the ECI had refused to identify the software, confirm whether artificial intelligence (AI) was being used, or explain what safeguards were in place.
Ramesh said the lack of transparency surrounding ECINET and the use of AI had damaged public confidence in the revision process. He questioned why the public learned through disclosures by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) that it had developed ECINET, rather than through transparent disclosure by the Election Commission of India.
He also questioned the Commission’s repeated denial of AI use in the SIR and electoral roll revision, alleging that the technology was being used. Ramesh said ECINET and the Election Commission of India’s IT Division had been the focus of several objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. He added that complaints had reached the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which comes under the Prime Minister.
Ramesh’s remarks came amid a controversy following a report by The Indian Express that Sandhu and Joshi had recorded objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months to decisions and orders, mostly related to the SIR process.
The Election Commission of India has maintained that differing views and observations are part of deliberations in any institution. It has stated that its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
“The public knows that massive manipulation has taken place. Gyanesh Kumar must go. The SIR must be suspended forthwith,” Ramesh said.
Monday, October 26, 2026