India's electoral process among most transparent in world: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has said India's electoral process is among the most transparent in the world as verification is carried out at every stage, from electoral rolls to counting of votes.

He was speaking at the 'Interaction with Booth Level Officers' programme held at Atal Kalam Hall of Gujarat University on Friday (September 11, 2026).

"At every stage of India's electoral process, political parties, candidates or their agents continuously carry out verification. Therefore, India's electoral process is among the most transparent electoral processes in the world," an official release quoted Mr. Kumar as saying.

The electoral rolls are continuously verified with the participation of political parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs), he said.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are responsible for identifying cases, such as Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Foreigner (ASDDF), while ensuring that eligible voters remain on the electoral rolls, the CEC added.

The name of every eligible Indian citizen who has completed 18 years of age should be included in the electoral rolls, he said.

Explaining the transparency of the polling process, he said that before polling begins, EVMs and VVPATs are checked during a mock poll in the presence of candidates' polling agents.

After polling concludes, the procedures related to the EVM results are completed in the presence of candidates' agents, and the necessary documents are signed, the release said.

Similarly, during counting, votes recorded in the EVMs are verified against the votes mentioned in Form 17C in the presence of the counting agents of candidates, it added.

The chief of the poll authority said that the Election Commission undertakes the electoral roll revision process (Special Intensive Revision) from time to time to maintain purity and accuracy of the rolls.

BLOs visit voters' homes and directly interact with them to verify the required details, he said, adding that efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls through processes such as submission of appropriate documents, mapping and hearings.

He urged BLOs to remain continuously active in maintaining the accuracy of electoral rolls and said whenever they get time, they should check the electoral roll in their respective areas and ensure that necessary procedures are completed to add the names of young people who have attained 18 years of age.

He said this is one of the greatest services to the country's democracy.