Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has advocated for remote voting for NRIs, biometric authentication in elections, and secrecy in polling data to prevent post-election violence. During his farewell speech, Kumar also emphasized the need for financial transparency in election campaigns, the regulation of fake narratives on social media, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections.
Call for NRI Remote Voting
Kumar stressed that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) should be allowed to vote remotely, asserting that “India’s global aspirations require deeper commitment to electoral inclusion. It is the right time to enable our NRIs to vote from outside the country.” The Election Commission (EC) has already developed mechanisms for this and is now waiting for the government’s approval.
At present, NRIs must be physically present in India to vote, leading to low participation. Discussions on postal voting, online voting, and voting at Indian embassies have taken place, but no concrete implementation has been made. Kumar urged the government to act swiftly, noting that one lakh NRIs are registered to vote, while lakhs more are eligible but not on electoral rolls.
Addressing EC Criticism
Responding to allegations that the Election Commission is biased, Kumar stated, “Motivated and baseless attacks on democratic institutions should be avoided in a mature democracy.” He pointed out that misinformation campaigns often arise during peak polling and counting hours, misleading voters and creating confusion.
Biometric Authentication & Secrecy in Polling Data
Highlighting the role of technology in elections, Kumar proposed biometric authentication to prevent impersonation and multiple voting. He also advocated for totaliser machines, which prevent the disclosure of polling station-wise votes—a move aimed at reducing post-election violence and political discrimination.
Selection of New CEC
A three-member panel, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, will soon select the next Chief Election Commissioner. The new CEC will oversee key elections, including those in Bihar later this year and West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam in 2026.
