Why India’s Election Commission Faces a Credibility Crisis in 2025

India’s Election Commission (ECI), long regarded as one of the most trusted institutions in the world’s largest democracy, is facing an unprecedented test of credibility. Recent allegations of voter fraud, inconsistencies in electoral rolls, and accusations of political bias have put the commission under sharp scrutiny. With state elections in Bihar around the corner and opposition parties mobilizing mass protests, the debate around electoral transparency has reached a boiling point.

Mounting Allegations Against the Election Commission

Opposition leaders, led by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, have accused the ECI of colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to manipulate voter rolls and rig the 2024 general elections. Gandhi’s claims include:

• Over 100,000 fake voters in a Karnataka constituency, with duplicates and invalid addresses.
• Voter roll discrepancies in Bihar, where a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) resulted in 6.5 million names being struck off.
• Concerns that migrant workers and marginalized groups were unfairly disenfranchised.

The ECI has dismissed these allegations as “false and misleading,” while the BJP argues the opposition is raising baseless claims to cover its declining popularity.

The Bihar Electoral Roll Controversy

Bihar’s voter list revision, the first major update in two decades, was supposed to ensure accuracy. However, the outcome has fueled political uproar:

• Draft rolls published on 1 August 2025 showed 72.4 million names, down from 78.9 million.
• Errors included mismatched photos, incorrect gender entries, and even the presence of deceased voters.
• Citizens whose names were omitted were given until 1 September to file appeals.

The Supreme Court intervened, directing the ECI to publish a searchable, machine-readable list of excluded voters and provide clear reasons for their removal. This move was widely seen as a rebuke of the commission’s procedural lapses.

Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Rights March

To amplify public awareness, Rahul Gandhi launched the Voter Adhikar Yatra, a 16-day, 1,300km march across Bihar. His campaign highlights:

• Demand for transparency in electoral rolls.
• Accusations of systemic “vote theft.”
• Mobilization of grassroots support ahead of Bihar’s crucial state elections.

While the ECI maintains that large voter list revisions are routine, opposition leaders view this as a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise voters.

ECI’s Response and Public Backlash

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, in a rare press conference, defended the commission:

• He accused the opposition of “insulting the Constitution” with unfounded claims.
• Cited a 2019 Supreme Court judgment to argue that machine-readable lists may violate privacy.
• Challenged Rahul Gandhi to file a sworn affidavit or apologize for his remarks.

Instead of diffusing tensions, Kumar’s combative tone fueled further criticism, with many accusing him of sounding partisan.

Declining Trust in the Election Commission

Once seen as an impartial guardian of democracy, the ECI now faces growing skepticism:

• A Lokniti-CSDS survey showed declining public trust in all six states surveyed in 2025.
• In Uttar Pradesh, those expressing “no trust” in the ECI rose from 11% in 2019 to 31% in 2025.
• Former Chief Election Commissioners like SY Quraishi and N Gopalaswami emphasized that perception of impartiality is as important as technical correctness.

The broader concern is not just about specific errors, but about the erosion of public confidence in an institution central to India’s democratic process.

What Lies Ahead for India’s Democracy

With Bihar heading into elections later this year, the ECI will remain under intense scrutiny. Experts argue that while procedural reforms are essential, restoring credibility requires more than just technical fixes. The commission must demonstrate transparency, neutrality, and responsiveness to rebuild trust among both political parties and the public.

The road ahead is steep. Unless addressed effectively, the controversy risks deepening polarization and undermining faith in India’s electoral process—the very backbone of its democracy.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports, statements, and media sources. The content reflects ongoing political and legal developments and is intended for informational purposes only. Madura City News does not endorse any political party or viewpoint. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently and consider multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions.