The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported on 6 May 2026 that its unified digital platform ECINET recorded 10 crore downloads and over 98.3 crore hits on polling days during the recently concluded 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, along with the accompanying by-elections. The platform also successfully neutralised over 68 lakh malicious cyber hits on counting day, according to an official ECI press statement.

Record Traffic on Poll Days and Counting Day

According to the Election Commission of India, ECINET registered over 98.3 crore hits across the three polling days — 9 April, 23 April, and 29 April 2026. On counting day, 4 May 2026, the platform recorded an average of 3 crore hits per minute, reflecting unprecedented user engagement during the vote-tally process.

The ECI credited the platform's architecture for sustaining this load without disruption, enabling real-time monitoring, faster reporting, and enhanced cybersecurity throughout the election cycle.

Cybersecurity: 68 Lakh Malicious Hits Neutralised

ECINET's cybersecurity protocols countered over 68 lakh malicious hits on counting day, originating from both within India and overseas, the ECI stated. The threats targeted critical infrastructure including the results portal, underscoring the scale of adversarial activity during a high-stakes electoral event. This is notably the first time the platform handled such a volume of hostile traffic at a national scale.

What ECINET Offers Voters

Officially launched in January 2026, ECINET integrates more than 40 applications and portals of the Election Commission into a single interface. Its beta version was first deployed during the Bihar elections in November 2025. The ECI describes it as the world's largest electoral service platform.

Services available on the platform include voter registration, electoral roll search, application tracking, grievance redressal, and downloading digital voter ID cards (e-EPIC). The platform's 'Know Your Candidate' (KYC) module allows voters to access Assembly constituency candidates' educational qualifications and criminal antecedents directly on their mobile phones. The ECI had actively urged voters to use this feature to make informed choices at the ballot box.

Additional tools include cVIGIL for reporting election code violations, Saksham for accessible services for persons with disabilities, and a facility to book calls with Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

QR Code Identity System Deployed for First Time

A new QR code-based Photo Identity Card system was used for the first time on counting day across all States and Union Territories to enhance security at counting centres. The ECI described this as a significant step toward modernising election administration and reducing the scope for impersonation at sensitive counting venues.

What This Signals for Future Elections

The scale of ECINET's deployment — 10 crore downloads, 98.3 crore polling-day hits, and neutralisation of 68 lakh cyber threats — positions the platform as a template for future electoral cycles in India. With the platform now battle-tested across five states and a Union Territory, the ECI is expected to further scale ECINET's capabilities, particularly its cybersecurity infrastructure and real-time monitoring features, ahead of upcoming electoral events.