Eight days after informing SC that its de-duplication software is defective, ECI abruptly reactivated it for 12 states. But scrapped the established protocol for its safe use. It also deployed a second undocumented algorithm without a written protocol
By Ayushi Kar & Harshitha Manwani
NEW DELHI, Dec 28 (The CONNECT): After informing the Supreme Court that its de-duplication software was far too defective to be deployed, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reactivated it midway through the revision of voter rolls in 12 states. However, it has done so after scrapping the rigorous ground verification process outlined in its manual for de-duplication. The quasi-judicial process was meant to reliably separate suspected fraudulent voters from genuine ones.
The ECI has also activated a second algorithm-based software midway into the revision of voter lists in 12 states, The Reporters’ Collective found. This too has been done without any written instructions, manual, standard operating procedures on record, or with information to citizens.
The Reporters’ Collective spoke to more than a dozen election officials in two states, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. We discreetly attended training sessions held by top officials for district-level ECI officers. We spoke to top district-level officials through detailed interviews. We videographed the workings of the de-duplication software, which has been switched on. We also witnessed the working of the second software that the ECI has turned on.
For detailed report, click here
Originally published by The Reporters’ Collective
