Accept voter documents on WhatsApp, verify at homes if needed: Maharashtra poll body to BLOs
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer has authorized the use of WhatsApp for submitting voter documents during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. While intended to streamline the process, the move has drawn criticism from the Congress party, which alleges that the system undermines the statutory authority of Electoral Registration Officers.
Why it matters
The use of digital tools in electoral processes is a point of contention regarding data security and the potential for administrative overreach or bias.
Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam has asked poll officials to take into consideration voter documents sent via WhatsApp during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, and has directed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to visit households for verification if necessary, an official said on Wednesday (September 30, 2026).
People can respond to notices generated from the ECINet software by sending the required documents on WhatsApp to BLOs, the official in the State poll body said. "The BLOs have been asked to visit homes for verification of the documents sent, if required," he said.
Officials earlier said Mr. Chockalingam had requested the Election Commission for changes in the ECINet software to allow Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to use their discretion regarding anomalies in electoral rolls. The Opposition Congress has, however, alleged that the statutory powers of EROs to decide voter eligibility were being diluted through the ECINet system.
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