The Election Commission will introduce artificial intelligence-based verification systems during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal to curb the inclusion of fake, duplicate or deceased voters, a senior official said on Tuesday.
According to the official, the AI tool will focus on identifying similarities across photographs in the voter database, helping detect individuals registered at multiple locations. The move follows an increase in complaints regarding the misuse of voter photographs, particularly those of migrant workers.
“We are taking the help of AI because of a rise in the number of complaints regarding the misuse of voters’ photographs, especially those of migrant workers,” the official told PTI.
The system will use AI-enabled facial matching technology to flag instances where the same image appears in different parts of the electoral rolls.
However, the official clarified that while AI will support the verification process, booth-level officers (BLOs) will remain central to voter authentication. BLOs will continue conducting door-to-door visits and capturing voter photographs directly.
Even when booth-level agents (BLAs) submit completed forms, BLOs will independently visit households to verify signatures. BLAs will also collect handwritten statements from voters confirming that the forms were filled in their presence.
The official emphasised strict accountability procedures. If any fake or deceased voter is detected after enumeration and form completion, the responsibility will lie with the BLO of the concerned polling station.