The Election Commission of India (ECI) has mandated the use of Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers for online voter registration changes, including new enrollments, modifications, and deletions. This decision, implemented by the IT department of the ECI, was made a month prior to its recent announcement. The new rule requires applicants to provide their Aadhaar-linked mobile number to process applications for voter roll changes via OTP verification.

This move follows accusations from Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, regarding large-scale voter deletions in Karnataka. Gandhi alleged that a "third force" orchestrated targeted deletions, citing an instance where 6,018 voters were allegedly removed from the Aland Assembly constituency. He described this as "voter theft" and accused the ECI of failing to provide essential details requested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

In response to these allegations, Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer, V. Anbukkumar, clarified that while 6,018 Form-7 applications for deletions were filed online in Aland in December 2022, officials conducted thorough document verification and field checks due to the unusually high number. Only 24 applications were found to be genuine, while 5,994 were rejected as false, refuting claims of mass deletion. An FIR (No.26/2023) was filed on February 21, 2023, to investigate the fake applications. The ECI also stated that no vote deletion could be done online by any member of the public and that no deletion could occur without giving the affected person a chance to be heard.

The ECI has also launched an 'e-sign' feature on its ECINet portal and app. This feature requires individuals registering as new voters or applying for corrections or deletions to verify their identity using their Aadhaar-linked phone numbers. The portal warns applicants to ensure that their name on the voter card matches the one on their Aadhaar and that the mobile number they are using is also linked to Aadhaar. After filling a form, users are directed to an external portal run by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). This applies to Form 6 (new registration), Form 7 (objection or deletion), and Form 8 (corrections).

Previously, applicants could submit forms by simply linking a phone number with their voter ID (EPIC), without verifying if the number belonged to them. The new e-sign feature mandates that applicants ensure their voter ID details match their Aadhaar and that the phone number used is Aadhaar-linked.

The ECINet portal and app combine approximately 40 earlier apps and portals of the ECI meant for voters and officials, including ERONet. Launched earlier this year, ECINet allows electors to submit forms and election officials to process them. Booth Level Officers and Electoral Registration Officers are responsible for conducting inquiries in each case.