ECINet Row: Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam Seeks ERO Powers; Congress Targets CEC

Maharashtra CEO Seeks Greater ERO Discretion

Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam has sought changes to the Election Commission’s ECINet software to allow Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) greater discretion in handling anomalies in electoral rolls.

According to reports, Chockalingam made the request in a September 24 letter to the Election Commission. The proposal concerns the processing of notices generated during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

What Changes Were Sought in ECINet?

Chockalingam sought several modifications to the software, particularly for cases involving what ECINet categorises as “logical discrepancies”.

These discrepancies can include mismatches involving an elector’s parent or grandparent details, age-related inconsistencies or difficulties in linking an elector with an earlier electoral roll. A logical discrepancy by itself does not establish that an individual is ineligible to vote.

EROs Seek More Authority Over Hearings

One of the requested changes relates to personal hearings.

Under the proposed modification, an ERO could exempt an elector from appearing personally if satisfactory documents have already been submitted. The request was intended to provide flexibility in cases involving senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other voters who could face difficulties attending hearings.

The Election Commission subsequently allowed EROs to exempt people flagged for logical discrepancies from personal hearings when appropriate.

Other Changes Requested by Maharashtra CEO

The Maharashtra CEO also sought greater flexibility for EROs in assessing documents and disposing of certain discrepancy cases.

The requests included allowing EROs to consider documents beyond the indicative list provided with notices, enabling them to decide certain cases themselves when satisfied with the evidence, and making the upload of an extract from the previous SIR roll optional in some cases. Chockalingam also sought written guidance and FAQs for field officials handling the process.

Why Are ERO Powers Important?

EROs are statutory officials responsible for preparing and maintaining electoral rolls for their respective Assembly constituencies. They handle claims and objections and take decisions concerning inclusion and deletion of names under the applicable electoral-roll framework.

The issue has gained attention because questions have been raised over the extent to which the centralised software system allows field-level election officials to exercise the discretion provided under the law.

ECINet Faces Scrutiny During Maharashtra SIR

The developments come amid scrutiny of ECINet and the electoral-roll revision process in Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra draft electoral roll was published on August 31, 2026, and the final roll is scheduled for November 16. The SIR process has involved notices being issued in cases where the system identifies discrepancies requiring verification.

The Election Commission has said that its digital platforms operate under security protocols and that EROs and District Election Officers function according to their statutory powers.

Congress Criticises Election Commission

The issue has also triggered criticism from the Congress.

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has criticised the ECINet system in the context of the ongoing SIR exercise, alleging that centralised software controls could affect the ability of local election officials to handle voter-roll cases. These are political allegations by the Congress and should be distinguished from the Election Commission’s stated position on the functioning of the system.

Election Commission Announces Further Changes

Following a full Commission meeting on September 26, the Election Commission announced several measures concerning its functioning and electoral-roll systems.

The Commission said that portal upgrades had already been made based on inputs from State Chief Electoral Officers and that further flexibility required by field officers would be provided. It also announced that ECINet would be reviewed by a committee headed by a senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT.

What the ECINet Row Means

The controversy centres on how electoral-roll decisions are implemented through a centralised digital platform and how much operational discretion remains with statutory field officials.

The Maharashtra CEO’s requests and the Election Commission’s subsequent response indicate that the software is being modified to provide additional flexibility in handling certain voter-roll discrepancies during the SIR process.

Key Takeaways

• Maharashtra CEO S Chockalingam sought changes to the ECINet software.

• The proposed changes were aimed at giving EROs greater discretion in handling electoral-roll discrepancies.

• One request allowing EROs to exempt certain voters from personal hearings was accepted by the Election Commission.

• Other requests concerned documents, case disposal and software procedures.

• The developments come during Maharashtra’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

• Congress has criticised the Election Commission over ECINet and the SIR process.

• The Election Commission has said further flexibility required by field officials will be made operational.