West Bengal to Use AI for Voter Verification Amid Fraud Allegations

AI to Strengthen Ongoing Voter List Revision

The West Bengal Election Commission has decided to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) tools to update and clean the state’s voter lists. The move comes during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and follows allegations of duplication and misuse of voter identities.

AI to Identify Fake, Duplicate, and Deceased Voters

A senior official announced on Tuesday that AI will be used to detect fictitious and dead voters by scanning facial similarities across the database. The technology aims to identify instances where one individual’s photo appears multiple times in different constituencies.
The step follows a surge of complaints reporting that photos of migrant workers have been misused in the voter list.

Political Pressure Accelerates Technological Integration

The urgency increased after opposition leader Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale voter fraud involving repeated use of the same name and photograph. AI-based verification is expected to help detect such irregularities and improve accuracy in the rolls.

BLOs to Continue Ground Verification

Despite incorporating AI, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will remain central to the verification process. They will conduct door-to-door checks, capture live photographs of voters, and verify signatures—even after Booth Level Agents (BLAs) submit forms.
The Commission has also warned that if fake or deceased voters are found during verification, the responsible polling station officials will face strict accountability.

Controversies Surround SIR Pressure

The SIR process has stirred concerns across states. A BLO in Kannur, Kerala, allegedly took his own life due to work pressure, leading the Indian Union Muslim League to petition the Supreme Court to halt the exercise. They argue that officials are overburdened and unable to manage the workload.

EC Confident AI Will Boost Trust and Transparency

Despite the challenges, the West Bengal Election Commission remains firm on proceeding with AI-backed verification. Officials believe the technology will enhance efficiency, remove duplicate entries, and help rebuild public trust in the electoral rolls—an essential step ahead of the state’s crucial election season.