Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudarshan Reddy called for secure and citizen-friendly access to voter registers. He highlighted it as essential to electoral transparency and public trust.
Speaking at the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM-2026) in New Delhi, Reddy emphasised that voters, political parties, and civil society need accurate voter data. However, he said access must be balanced with strong data protection protocols.
Delivering a presentation titled “Ease of Access to the Voter Register,” he detailed mechanisms implemented by election authorities. These include online voter-lookup tools, limited-detail voter lists, and controlled-access kiosks. These, he noted, provide reliable access without compromising personal data.
Access to voter registers must balance openness and data security: Telangana CEO
Reddy stated that technology-driven voter services have reduced grievances, improved electoral roll accuracy, and bolstered public confidence. He argued that access frameworks designed with both usability and privacy in mind enhance civic engagement and oversight.
The session, which Reddy moderated, also included election officials from Mexico and Suriname, Hyderabad-based scholars, and representatives of the Election Commission of India. In this session, participants exchanged views on global best practices and policies around voter data access.
IICDEM-2026 has convened nearly 100 delegates from over 70 countries for thematic discussions and bilateral meetings on innovations and challenges in election management.