West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised a critical alarm with the Election Commission of India (ECI), highlighting severe public hardship caused by errors in the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digitisation of government records. In a formal letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, Banerjee detailed how these technological flaws are leading to the wrongful denial of benefits and the creation of electoral discrepancies.
The Core of the Complaint: AI Glitches and Public Suffering
In her communication dated March 16, the Trinamool Congress chief outlined a series of problems stemming from the automated process. She emphasized that the AI systems tasked with digitising and linking documents are making significant mistakes. A primary concern is the erroneous deletion of legitimate names from voter lists and other essential databases. Banerjee argued that these are not minor glitches but serious failures that disrupt people's lives.
"The artificial intelligence-driven digitisation of government records has caused immense suffering to the people," Banerjee stated in her letter. She pointed out that citizens are being deprived of their rightful entitlements and services due to these inaccuracies. The Chief Minister stressed that the issue extends beyond voter lists, affecting various government welfare schemes where beneficiary data has been compromised.
Specific Issues and the Call for Manual Verification
Banerjee's letter pinpointed several specific outcomes of these digitisation errors. One major problem is the incorrect tagging of genuine citizens as 'doubtful voters' (D-voters) without any proper verification or grounds. This label carries serious consequences for an individual's rights and identity.
Furthermore, she highlighted troubles related to the linking of Aadhaar with voter IDs and other documents. The AI processes, according to her, are failing to correctly match biometric and demographic data, leading to the exclusion of eligible individuals. The situation is particularly acute for marginalised communities, daily wage labourers, and women, who often face the brunt of such administrative errors.
Given the scale of the problem, the West Bengal CM made a firm recommendation to the ECI. She urged the commission to immediately halt reliance on purely automated processes and institute a robust system of manual verification and physical checks. This, she believes, is essential to correct the existing errors and prevent future injustices, ensuring that no legitimate voter is disenfranchised.
Political Context and Broader Implications
This appeal to the CEC comes amidst the ongoing process of electoral roll revision and ahead of major national elections. Banerjee's intervention underscores a growing political and administrative debate on the unchecked use of AI and automation in critical governance areas. Her letter frames the issue as one of democratic rights and social justice, arguing that technology should aid, not replace, human scrutiny in matters of citizenship and voting.
The Chief Minister's move is seen as a significant step to hold the election machinery accountable. By formally documenting these complaints, she has placed the onus on the Election Commission to investigate and rectify the system. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for how India manages the intersection of technology, data integrity, and electoral democracy.
As of now, the Election Commission of India has not issued a public response to Mamata Banerjee's letter. The development is being closely watched by political analysts and civil society groups concerned about data rights and inclusive governance.
