India's Election Commission Uses Undisclosed Algorithms, AI Use Unclear

India's Election Commission (ECI) employs algorithmic software for managing electoral rolls, yet details about its usage and potential artificial intelligence (AI) applications remain largely undisclosed. The Supreme Court recently suggested the ECI could leverage AI to process numerous affidavits in an internal dispute within the Trinamool Congress party.

According to Medianama, the ECI already operates un-audited software impacting voter roll inclusion and notification processes. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has identified at least three algorithmic systems involved in electoral roll revisions, none of which have publicly available specifications, thresholds, or audit reports.

The suggestion for AI use came from Justice Joymalya Bagchi during a Supreme Court hearing concerning the Trinamool Congress symbol dispute. This oral observation was not a formal directive, though the ECI's counsel had requested a six-month extension to handle the volume of affidavits.

The situation is further complicated by the ECI's previous statements to the UN asserting no AI usage, while continuing to deploy these undisclosed algorithms. India currently lacks significant statutory requirements for public authorities to disclose the software used in their decision-making processes.

Medianama argues for greater transparency, stating that citizens, courts, and political parties require information on the tools used, their vendors, models, and any audit outcomes. Such disclosure is crucial when software influences decisions affecting citizens, including electoral roll management and dispute resolution.