The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new Aadhaar-based e-sign feature on its ECINET portal and mobile app in September 2025. The move aims to strengthen security, prevent electoral fraud, and improve the authenticity of electoral roll management by making identity verification mandatory for all voter registration, deletion, and correction requests.
Introduction of ECINET Platform
The ECINET platform is a unified digital solution that integrates more than 40 separate mobile and web applications previously managed by the Election Commission. First launched during the June 2025 by-elections in Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab, and West Bengal, ECINET has been instrumental in streamlining election-related processes and data management.
By consolidating services, the platform ensures greater efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in voter services, electoral roll maintenance, and real-time election data dissemination.
Aadhaar-Based E-Sign Verification – How It Works
With the new e-sign feature, applicants must now verify their identity using the Aadhaar number linked to their mobile phone.
- After filling the required voter-related form (Form 6 for registration, Form 7 for deletion, or Form 8 for correction) on ECINET, users are redirected to the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) portal.
- They then enter their Aadhaar number and receive a one-time password (OTP) on their Aadhaar-linked phone.
- Verification is completed only after the applicant provides consent for Aadhaar authentication, ensuring that the request is genuine.
This mechanism significantly enhances the security and authenticity of voter roll updates, reducing the risk of fraudulent submissions.
Limitations of the Previous System
Earlier, voter forms could be submitted by linking a phone number to an existing Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. However, there was no robust system to verify whether the phone number and voter details genuinely matched the applicant.
This loophole created vulnerabilities, allowing for misuse and fraudulent voter list manipulations.
Tackling Electoral Fraud – A Stronger Safeguard
The introduction of Aadhaar-based e-sign verification directly addresses allegations of voter list fraud. For instance, the Karnataka CID investigated the removal of nearly 5,994 voters in the Aland Assembly constituency due to forged Form 7 submissions.
Such cases highlighted the urgent need for stricter verification mechanisms to protect the sanctity of electoral rolls. The new feature ensures that only authentic, verified requests are processed, curbing misuse and restoring public confidence in the system.
Impact on Election Management
The ECINET platform has already revolutionized election data handling. Presiding officers now upload final voter turnout figures directly onto ECINET before leaving polling stations, replacing the earlier manual reporting process.
This shift enables the public and stakeholders to access turnout trends within 72 hours of election results, enhancing transparency, speed, and accuracy in electoral data dissemination.
The Election Commission of India plans to make ECINET fully operational nationwide, with Aadhaar-based e-sign verification becoming a cornerstone of secure electoral roll management.
By embedding digital authentication, transparency, and efficiency, this initiative will not only prevent electoral fraud but also boost voter confidence and reinforce the integrity of India’s democratic processes.
