Delhi to switch to unified database, will check people from carrying multiple voter IDs

Till now, all state election bodies had separate databases of voters in respective states, which made verification of applicants’ records difficult. But ERONET is a unified database of all voters registered across the country. Any individual applying for a voter ID in Delhi, while simultaneously possessing an ID registered in any other state, would be detected on real-time basis.

In a major step towards checking people from possessing two voter identity cards, one in Delhi and second in some other state, the Chief Electoral Office of the national capital has moved on to the Electoral Registration Officer NET (ERONET) from the current Electoral Roll Management System (ERMS).

Any individual applying for a voter ID in Delhi, while simultaneously possessing an ID registered in any other state, would be detected on real-time basis. (Dijeshwar SIngh/ HT file)

Till now, all state election bodies had separate databases of voters in respective states, which made verification of applicants’ records difficult. But ERONET is a unified database of all voters registered across the country.

Any individual applying for a voter ID in Delhi, while simultaneously possessing an ID registered in any other state, would be detected on real-time basis.

“The constitution provides for one voter ID to every citizen in any one assembly segment across the country. Integration with the ERONET system will serve dual purpose. Besides helping the election body in checking the malpractice of getting IDs issued at different places, the work of genuine individuals willing to switch their registration in another state will also become easier,” a senior election commission official said.

Officials said, under the new system the backend support would instantly throw up results the moment applicant’s details are fed into the system, thus weeding out ineligible applicants.

“In Delhi, about 70% of the applications for voter IDs are received online. Hence, the process of verification will become smoother as the system will automatically scan the database and process the applications accordingly,” an official said.

Sources said the system was introduced in Punjab and Haryana in June on pilot basis. Delhi chief electoral office integrated with the national database on Wednesday.

Officials said, technically, the ERONET is a single electoral roll of the entire country and people could also check their details. The entire roll has been put in the public domain through a dedicated portal.

“Any voter could login into nvsp.in (national voters service portal) and check details of their voter ID,” an official said.