top of page

Daily Mains Question – GS 2 – 18th June 2025

  • Writer: TPP
    TPP
  • Jun 18
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jun 20

Daily Mains Question – GS 2 – 18th June 2025

Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — crafted to help you understand how electoral technology reforms intersect with democratic accountability, a critical theme under GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, and Polity). Today’s question delves into the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) push for real-time data reporting and digital transparency through its newly announced ECINET app.

With growing concerns over voter turnout data delays—especially during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—the ECI’s plan to implement bi-hourly automated reporting and integrate its 40+ digital tools signals a major shift in electoral management. This topic offers valuable insights into electoral reform, institutional credibility, technological governance, and public trust—key elements for both GS Paper 2 and Essay preparation.

 

Click Here to read the Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) for January 2025- April 2025.

 

QUESTION

“Technological reforms by the ECI, such as bi‑hourly polling data and automated statistical indexes, will significantly strengthen democratic accountability.” Comment.

Answer: The Election Commission of India (ECI), as the constitutional body overseeing free and fair elections, has been under scrutiny for delays in publishing polling data. In response, the ECI has announced a series of technological reforms, including the integration of its various digital platforms under a unified mobile application—ECINET. These reforms aim to ensure the real-time, transparent, and accountable dissemination of election data, particularly bi-hourly voter turnout figures. This move follows widespread criticism during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections over delays in voter data publication, which had raised concerns about transparency and institutional credibility.


1. Current Challenges and Need for Reform:

  • Manual Data Collection: Presiding officers currently relay voter turnout to sector officers and Returning Officers (ROs) via calls or messages, who then manually enter data into the Voter Turnout app every two hours.

  • Fragmented Tech Ecosystem: The ECI operates 40 different apps and portals for electoral rolls, affidavits, voter turnout, and results, leading to inefficiencies and data silos.

  • Delayed Turnout Publication: During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, voter turnout figures were updated only 11 days after the first phase and four days after the second. The delay and increase in voter percentages (5–6%) led to allegations of data manipulation from opposition parties.


2. Key Technological Interventions Introduced:

  • ECINET Mobile App:

    • To be launched before the Bihar Assembly Elections in November 2025.

    • Integrates all 40 existing ECI apps and systems into a single, unified platform.

    • Will allow presiding officers to directly input bi-hourly voter turnout data into the system.

  • Automated Calculation and Display:

    • Constituency-level turnout will be automatically calculated and displayed to the public in near real-time.

    • Uses the ENCORE module, which processes and pools voter data at the district and state levels.

  • Form 17C Data Integration:

    • Booth-wise turnout data recorded in Form 17C (as per the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961) will continue to be shared with polling agents.

    • Ensures legal and statutory consistency even with the new tech-driven approach.

  • Enhanced Monitoring:

    • A new mechanism at the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) level to track timely data entries and identify constituencies missing deadlines.

3. Implications for Democratic Accountability:

  • Transparency & Trust:

    • Real-time data publication will build trust among voters, parties, and civil society.

    • Counters allegations of data tampering and political bias.

  • Operational Efficiency:

    • Reduces human error, data lag, and reliance on multi-layered communication.

    • Enables media and citizens to monitor turnout trends as they unfold.

  • Political Accountability:

    • With accurate, timely data, political parties can better respond to voter trends and engage in constructive discourse.

    • Strengthens the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

  • Data Accessibility:

    • Public and media access through Android/iOS apps allows broader civic participation and oversight.

 

The ECI’s digital reforms, particularly the ECINET app and bi-hourly automated reporting, mark a significant step towards ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability in India's electoral process. While statutory mechanisms like Form 17C remain the legal cornerstone, the integration of real-time tech platforms will bolster public confidence and institutional integrity. As India continues to hold the world’s largest democratic elections, such technological innovations are vital to reinforce its commitment to free, fair, and transparent elections.


Previous Daily UPSC Mains Question



Stay updated with the latest news by joining our Telegram channel – The PRESS Pad , and follow us on Instagram and X.

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating
bottom of page