Goa Election Authorities Face Major Voter Verification Challenge
In a startling revelation that exposes significant gaps in India's electoral security system, Goa's chief electoral officer Sanjay Goel announced on Sunday that election authorities are unable to track or identify voters who are foreign nationals, Portuguese passport holders, or those registered as voters in other states.
The admission comes during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the coastal state, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
Self-Declaration System Shows Critical Flaws
Sanjay Goel confirmed that the election machinery depends entirely on self-declaration since the electoral rolls haven't undergone thorough screening since 2002. This means there's no proactive mechanism to detect individuals who may have surrendered Indian citizenship but remain on voter lists.
"We do not have a mechanism to identify any citizen if he or she fails to declare that he has surrendered Indian citizenship, but it is a criminal offense," Goel stated during his press briefing.
The chief electoral officer issued a stern warning that any person found voting despite possessing a foreign passport or being registered in another state would face one year of imprisonment. However, he acknowledged the practical difficulty in enforcement, noting that authorities remain dependent on voluntary declarations.
Software and Technology Solutions Falling Short
Election Commission has been attempting to use technological solutions to address these challenges, but with limited success. According to Goel, the commission has been using software and facial recognition technology to identify duplicate voters across states, while also relying on complaints from citizens.
"These methods were not successful. There are many people who are registered in different states," Goel told reporters, highlighting the scale of the problem.
The issue becomes particularly complex with migrant voters registered in multiple states. Goel explained that these voters can only be weeded out when the SIR drive is conducted in their home states. "When the SIR is done in Karnataka and Maharashtra, only then will the names be mapped with their parents," he said.
Grey Window Creates Election Vulnerability
Goel identified what he called a "grey window" in the electoral process that could potentially be exploited. "If there is an election before the SIR is conducted and if the name exists on the electoral roll, during this gap, it is a grey window and you can understand what will happen," he cautioned, implying the possibility of duplicate voting.
Despite these challenges, the election machinery has identified specific cases that require attention. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have identified 88 OCI card holders in Goa who remain eligible to vote under current regulations.
"We have 88 OCI card holders registered with us. They are citizens of India but currently residing abroad, hence eligible to vote. EC has given them a special facility to vote after they registered as OCI," Goel clarified, distinguishing between legitimate overseas voters and potential violators.
The revelations come at a critical time when Goa prepares for future elections, raising important questions about the need for more robust verification systems to protect the sanctity of India's democratic process.
