ECI Refuses To Disclose Detains About Software Used In SIR, Cites Trade Secret
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has refused to share the name and version of the software it used to identify errors and anomalies in voter rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Stating that it is a commercial confidence, the ECI argued it is a trade secrets and intellectual property” and is exempt under the Right to Information (RTI).
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The ECI further said that the it has developed or procured no new software for the SIR exercise, adding that the electoral registration officers (EROs) decide on the inclusion or exclusion of an elector on the basis of facts and records.
The ECI also argued that the detains regarding the software is exempted from the RTI. The remarks comes as the panel faces allegations of irregularities in the controversial roll revision exercise. The poll body was responding to an RTI application filed by MA Mujeeb Ayyub, a social activist based in Karimnagar, Telangana on October 16.
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The poll panel further noted that the ERO of the concerned constituency is the statutory authority responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral roll of that constituency.
