EC to share Maharashtra, Haryana voter rolls since 2009 on Cong plea

Time of India

9 hours ago

The
Election Commission
has cleared the way for sharing
electoral roll data
for
Haryana
and
Maharashtra
from 2009 to 2024, following an assurance it gave to the Delhi High Court earlier this year, ET has learnt.
Last week, the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of both states passed orders allowing
Congress
leaders to obtain electoral roll data from relevant district and election officers. This includes voter roll data from the 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024 elections.
While political parties receive free copies of draft and final rolls at election time, obtaining them retrospectively-such as in the case of Congress MP
Randeep Surjewala
's December 2024 request-requires approval from the CEO or ECI and must be paid for.
Surjewala had moved a representation in December 2024 seeking electoral data for all elections in the two states since 2009, following the assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana.
Citing delays, he subsequently filed a writ petition in the Delhi HC.
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In February 2025, the ECI told the court that given the range of data sought, it would require time to examine the request. It sought three months to decide the matter in accordance with the law, by issuing a speaking order and, if necessary, hearing the petitioner.
Hearings have since been held by the respective CEOs.
In his petition, Surjewala argued that political parties must be able to examine EC-collected data over the years to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The Congress has repeatedly flagged alleged discrepancies in the Maharashtra voter rolls-claims the ECI has denied.