Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi has said that while technology has strengthened India’s electoral process, its misuse — particularly through social media and prolonged polling phases — poses new challenges that need urgent attention.
Speaking at an Idea Exchange hosted by The Indian Express, Quraishi said that technology itself is “value neutral” and can either deepen democracy or undermine it, depending on how it is applied.
He referred to recent political developments in South Asia, including Nepal’s ban on social media platforms, as a warning of how overregulation or misuse can disrupt communication and trigger unrest.
“Social media is a very important development. But it can have dangerous implications,” Quraishi said, adding that electoral authorities cannot ignore its role in shaping political discourse and influencing voters.
The former poll panel chief, who oversaw several national and state elections during his tenure from 2010 to 2012, said India’s current practice of conducting Lok Sabha elections in multiple phases may have been justified when political violence was widespread, but in the digital age it risks magnifying the spread of disinformation.
“We have been holding Lok Sabha elections in six-seven phases. When it stretches over two and a half months, there is so much time for hate speech and fake news. Social media can set the country on fire,” he said.
Quraishi argued that a return to single-phase national elections now deserves serious consideration, particularly since, according to him, the level of violence has fallen compared with previous decades. A shorter polling schedule, he suggested, would not only reduce opportunities for misinformation to spread but also bring down campaign costs.
The debate around electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) also featured in Quraishi’s conversation. He recalled that when he took office, the BJP — now a strong supporter of EVMs — was among the most vocal critics of the system. He said that rather than defending the technology outright, the Election Commission engaged with political parties to address concerns about transparency.
“Anybody who raises questions is a friend and not an enemy,” he said. Quraishi noted that after consultations, the Commission moved to adopt VVPATs, which allow voters to verify their choice on paper before it is stored for audits.
The comments come at a time when opposition parties have raised concerns about the accuracy of voter lists and the transparency of the election process. Quraishi did not comment on specific allegations but said the credibility of the Election Commission rests on its willingness to respond to questions openly.
He stressed that technology will continue to play a central role in elections, but authorities must balance efficiency with safeguards against manipulation. “Technology is a good thing, but it depends on how you use it,” he said.
