From Booth Capturing to Algorithm Manipulation: Emerging Threats to Indian Electoral Sovereignty in the Era of Digital and Remote Voting

India, the world’s largest democracy, has made commendable strides in securing the electoral process against traditional threats like booth capturing and ballot stuffing largely through the successful implementation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). However, as India stands on the cusps of a new era defined by digital governance, social media ubiquity, and the proposed introduction of remote voting , a new generation threats is emerging. This paper examines the evolving threats to India’s electoral sovereignty and its integrity, representing a critical transition from traditional , physical vulnerabilities to complex , digitally driven . This research paper argues that while the Election Commission of India (ECI) has effectively fortified the physical ballot, the new challenge for electoral sovereignity is digital threats such as algorithmic manipulation, misinformation compaign on social media , cybersecurity challenges in remote voting infrastructure . This paper analyzes the nature of these emerging threats, examines their potential impact on India,s electoral sovereignty, and proposes a multi-pronged strategy encompassing robust legislative frameworks, technological safeguards and enhanced enhanced institutional capacity to preserve democratic integrity in the 21st century.