New Delhi: In a major order, the Supreme Court has permitted the Election Commission of India (ECI) to accept Aadhaar as valid proof of identity for voter roll revisions in Bihar. With this, Aadhaar becomes the 12th officially recognised document for establishing voter identity under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The apex court clarified that Aadhaar can be used to verify the identity of voters but does not serve as proof of Indian citizenship. “Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship and cannot be accepted as such,” the bench observed, while directing election authorities to verify the authenticity of Aadhaar cards submitted during the registration process.
The court stressed that the measure aims to simplify voter roll updates, widen access for citizens, and at the same time ensure the integrity of electoral rolls by preventing fraudulent inclusions. It also underlined that no one wants illegal immigrants to be part of the electoral system.
The ECI has confirmed it will comply with the court’s ruling and is expected to issue guidelines to electoral officers in Bihar for proper implementation.
Background of the Case
The ruling came on September 1 during hearings on voter list revisions in Bihar. The court noted the ECI’s assurance that claims and objections regarding the draft rolls would continue to be considered even beyond the September 1 deadline, until the close of nominations, with all changes integrated into the final roll.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi recorded the ECI’s submissions and also directed the Bihar Legal Services Authority to deploy para-legal volunteers to help voters and political parties file claims, objections, or corrections online.
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