Election Commission to use AI tool to detect fake, dead voters during SIR in West Bengal

The Election Commission is set to introduce an artificial intelligence-based verification system to prevent inclusion of fake or dead voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Similarity in photographs in the voter database, the AI ​​system will help in identifying persons registered at multiple locations.

“We are taking the help of AI due to the increase in the number of complaints of misuse of photographs of voters, especially those of migrant workers,” the official told PTI.

“AI-enabled facial matching technology will be used to detect cases where the same voter’s photograph appears at multiple locations,” he said.

He said the measure has become especially important following a rise in complaints of misuse of photographs of migrant workers during voter registration.

However, the official said booth level officers (BLOs) will continue to play a central role in the verification process.

“AI will assist in verification. But regardless of the use of technology, the role of BLOs will remain important. They will need to go door-to-door and take direct photographs of voters,” he said.

Even when booth-level agents (BLAs) submit the filled forms, the BLO has to personally visit the household for signature verification.

“The BLAs will also collect handwritten statements from voters confirming that the forms were filled in their presence,” the official said.

He also stressed on strict accountability norms.

He said, “If any fake or dead voter is found after counting and filling the form, the responsibility will be on the BLO of the concerned polling station.”