EC cites trade secrets to withhold SIR software details
- The Election Commission cited 'trade secrets' to deny an RTI request for SIR software details.
- Activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub had sought information on AI and automated voter flagging.
- The EC stated no new software was developed or procured for the special intensive revision.
- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that ECINET transparency issues damage voter registration credibility.
- Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi previously raised 14 objections regarding SIR decisions.
The Election Commission of India has refused to disclose details regarding the software used in the System for Information Retrieval, citing exemptions for commercial confidence, trade secrets, and intellectual property. This refusal covers the name and version of the software used to detect errors and anomalies in electoral rolls during the special intensive revision.
The commission continues to withhold technical information about the software used in the System for Information Retrieval.
In separate developments, Amit Shah described Operation Trident as "another lethal blow" following strikes against drug cartels across Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram. Authorities have also recovered the pistols used in the Shroff firing.
EC response to activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub's RTI application
The Election Commission responded to an RTI application filed by activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub on October 16 by stating that no new software was developed or procured for the special intensive revision. Ayyub had specifically inquired whether AI platforms or software automatically flag voter records for verification and if machine learning or predictive analytics were involved.
The commission informed the applicant that certain requests for information constituted a "clarification" rather than information as defined under the Right to Information Act. Regarding the process of voter registration, the commission stated that electoral registration officers decide on the inclusion or exclusion of an elector based on facts and records.
The commission noted that the electoral registration officer of the concerned constituency is the statutory authority responsible for the preparation and revision of the electoral roll. It further refused to disclose the identities of those who review flagged anomalies, citing an RTI exemption for information that could endanger a person's life or physical safety or reveal confidential sources provided for law enforcement or security purposes.
The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court to challenge a High Court order that quashed a case against NewsClick.
Congress alleges lack of transparency in ECINET and AI usage
The Congress party has alleged that the Election Commission is concealing information regarding the ECINET software to hide potential manipulation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the lack of transparency surrounding the software and the use of artificial intelligence has damaged the credibility of the voter registration process.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress unit further alleged that voter discrepancies were being corrected through Form-8.
Internal dissent and history of the special intensive revision
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have raised objections regarding the ECINET software and the Information and Technology Division of the Election Commission. The Indian Express reported on September 23 that these commissioners formally objected 14 times in 10 months to decisions related to the special intensive revision. Some of these decisions were taken without their knowledge.
The special intensive revision exercise began in June 2025 and has faced concerns regarding its implementation and the potential to deny genuine electors their right to vote. In May 2026, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the special intensive revision exercise. The court stated that the Election Commission cannot decide whether a person is an Indian citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Add NewsPulse Time as a preferred source on Google