The Election Commission (EC) has taken a significant step toward linking Voter ID cards with Aadhaar, finalizing its decision in a high-level meeting today. The move, the Congress claims, comes in response to its complaints about discrepancies in electoral rolls in Maharashtra between the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
Congress Raises Concerns Over Voting Rights & Privacy
The Congress party has warned the EC to ensure that no eligible citizen is denied the right to vote due to the Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage. Additionally, it has emphasized that privacy rights should not be compromised in the process.
EC’s Decision & Legal Framework
Following discussions with the UIDAI CEO, Home Secretary, Law Secretary, and the Chief Election Commissioner, the EC confirmed that the linkage will be carried out under:
- Article 326 of the Constitution
- Representation of the People Act
- Relevant Supreme Court judgments
Aadhaar-Voter ID Linkage to Remain Voluntary
The EC clarified that linking Aadhaar with Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) will be voluntary. So far, 65 crore voters have already completed the process.
Addressing Citizenship Issues in Border Districts
The Union Home Ministry will collaborate with the EC to resolve citizenship-related identity issues, particularly in border districts. The Ministry has been asked to provide feedback on how genuine voters can be identified while addressing concerns over duplicate and fraudulent registrations.
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