The Election Commission has directed to conduct a thorough test of voter list across the country on 1 January 2026.
The Election Commission of India has decided to test the voter list across the country. The Commission has sent a letter to all the Chief Electoral Officers to prepare by sending a letter to the intense voter test in Bihar and the hearing of the Bihar case. The Commission has said that on the basis of January 1, 2026, prepare to implement the plan to do this work.
The basis of the strength of democracy in India is a fair and transparent election process. The most important link of this process is the voter list. Recently, after the order of intensive testing of the voter list in Bihar, where the electoral machinery started to work according to the target, political parties started protesting. Let us understand in detail why the Commission took this decision? Earlier in which states were thoroughly tested? What will be its effects?
Bihar case in Supreme Court, intensive testing order across the country
Elections are scheduled in Bihar this year. Political parties allege that this work is not possible in such a short time. It is feared that the Commission has taken this decision at the behest of the ruling party, so that the names of crores of people can be removed from the voter list. Political parties and some social organizations are also in the shelter of the Supreme Court on this issue. Its hearing has also started. The next hearing is scheduled on 28 July. The Supreme Court has not given any decision yet, but the Election Commission of India has written a letter to the Chief Electoral Officers asking to prepare to start this campaign across the country.
During the hearing of Bihar’s voter list revision case in the Supreme Court, the question arose whether there should be a thorough testing only in Bihar or such a process should be adopted in the whole country. The Election Commission told the court that it would review the voter list across the country, so that the credibility of the voter list in any state would not be questioned. The commission argued that this step is necessary to strengthen the foundation of democracy.
Which states have done intensive tests first?
Even before Bihar, the voter list has been tested in a thorough testing in many states. In West Bengal, there was a comprehensive voter list revision before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in which millions of fake names were allegedly removed. In Uttar Pradesh, before the 2017 assembly elections, there was a thorough test in the state, in which the names of dead and duplicate voters were removed. In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, special revision of voter list has been done from time to time, especially in urban areas where the number of migrants is high.
There were many disputes during intensive testing in these states, but overall it has increased the purity of the voter list. In Uttarakhand, there was a thorough test in the year 2006, then Bihar is aware of being in the year 2003. There was a thorough test in Delhi in 2008.
Why the decision to revision across the country?
The Election Commission has decided to review the voter list across the country for many reasons. The presence of fake, dead or duplicate names in the voter list questions the fairness of the election. This problem will be overcome by simultaneous revision in the whole country. Intensive testing in only one state can be accused of discrimination. By adopting a similar process in the whole country, there will be justice to all states.
Last month, when the Commission ordered only for Bihar, the same questions were raised. Probably a new order has been removed by the Commission Supreme Court to prevent any kind of negative order. Today, the voter list can be made more accurate through identity systems like digital technology and Aadhaar. Applying this process simultaneously across the country will give the benefit of technical reforms.
What is the worry about the opposition party?
In a huge country like India, where there are millions of voters, the intensive test of the list is a major administrative work. It will require time, resources and technical efficiency. Often the opposition parties allege that the election results can be affected by tampering in the voter list. Therefore, transparency and participation of all parties is necessary.
Participation of common citizens is also necessary during the revision of voter list. They should be made aware to check their names, improve and add new names. Duplicate and fake names have become easier through Aadhaar, mobile number and other digital identity. The Commission will have to make maximum use of these techniques.
Legislative Assembly elections in five states next year
If the Commission really conducts a thorough examination of the voter list throughout the country, then it will benefit in the Legislative Assembly elections to be held next year and will be able to avoid any kind of dispute. Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry assembly elections are going to be held in the year 2026.
A big step can be proved
The controversy started with the intensive test of the voter list in Bihar can now become a big step towards reforms in the entire country. This decision of the Election Commission is necessary for the strength, transparency and fairness of democracy. However, there are many challenges in this process, but if it is implemented correctly, then India’s electoral system can become more reliable and stronger. It is the responsibility of common citizens, political parties and administration to take active participation in this process, so that every qualified citizen gets the right to vote and the roots of democracy are deepened.
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