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Linking Voter Cards with Aadhar
Context:
The debate over linking voter IDs (EPIC) with Aadhaar has resurfaced ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, as political parties accuse each other of electoral roll manipulation.
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- This contentious issue, aimed at cleaning up duplicate entries, has a long and complex history, with both significant potential benefits and serious concerns.
The History of the Proposal
- NERPAP: In February 2015, the Election Commission (EC) launched the National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Program (NERPAP) to address duplicate entries in electoral rolls.
- By linking voter IDs with Aadhaar, the EC successfully authenticated over 300 million voter records within three months.
- However, the Supreme Court, in an interim order in August 2015, restricted Aadhaar use to welfare schemes and PAN linking, halting the NERPAP initiative.
- Puttaswamy Case: The Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy judgment of September 2018 upheld the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act, prompting the EC to advocate for legislative amendments.
- Consequently, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, were amended in December 2021 to allow Aadhaar linking for electoral purposes.
- The amendments ensured that Aadhaar could be submitted for new voter registration (via Form 6) or for existing voter authentication (via Form 6B).
- However, they retained a voluntary nature, allowing voters to submit alternative documents if Aadhaar was unavailable.
- Discrepancies: Despite the EC’s assurances that Aadhaar submission is optional, discrepancies remain.
- Forms 6 and 6B continue to request Aadhaar details without clearly reflecting the voluntary nature of the process.
- This inconsistency has sparked legal challenges and demands for clarifications.
Benefits
- Eliminating Duplicate Entries: Linking Aadhaar with voter IDs can significantly reduce duplication in electoral rolls, enhancing the integrity of elections.
- Strengthening the Electoral Process: By ensuring accurate voter records, the linkage can bolster public trust in the democratic system.
Challenges
- Errors in the Aadhaar Database: Even minor inaccuracies in Aadhaar details could lead to wrongful deletion of voter records, potentially disenfranchising citizens.
- Proof of Residence, Not Citizenship: Aadhaar only verifies residence, not citizenship. This limits its utility in removing non-citizen voters from electoral rolls.
- Privacy Concerns: While Aadhaar linkage occurs at the back end, the potential misuse of widely circulated electoral rolls by political parties raises questions about data privacy.
Way Forward
The right to vote is a fundamental constitutional right and a cornerstone of democracy. Ensuring free and fair elections requires robust mechanisms that inspire public confidence.
- Public Awareness: Educating voters about the benefits of Aadhaar-EPIC linking can help dispel misconceptions and strengthen the democratic process.
- Privacy Safeguards: Addressing concerns about data misuse is essential to reassure citizens that the secrecy of their votes is protected.
- Form Modifications: The EC must immediately revise Forms 6 and 6B to clearly state that Aadhaar submission is not mandatory, reflecting its commitment to voluntary compliance as assured in court.
- Focused Measures: Beyond Aadhaar linkage, the EC should undertake separate efforts to identify and address non-citizen voters in the rolls.
Linking Aadhaar with voter IDs has the potential to improve the transparency and efficiency of India’s electoral system. However, it must be implemented thoughtfully, balancing the benefits with the need to protect voter rights and privacy. A clear, transparent, and inclusive approach is crucial to ensuring that this exercise strengthens, rather than undermines, India’s democracy.
