This development follows a meeting between top government officials, including the Union Home Secretary, MeitY Secretary, and UIDAI CEO, to discuss the potential implementation of Aadhaar seeding in the voter registration process

The Election Commission is exploring the possibility of linking voter identity cards (EPIC) with Aadhaar numbers. This decision follows technical consultations scheduled between experts from the EC and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The discussions are expected to begin soon, with the aim of resolving technical and logistical concerns around this potential initiative.

In a statement on Tuesday (March 18), the poll panel clarified that the process of linking Aadhaar with voter cards will be done in compliance with existing legislation, including the Supreme Court’s rulings on Aadhaar and privacy issues. The commission emphasized that while Aadhaar will be used to establish a person's identity, it would not affect the individual's citizenship status or their eligibility to be enrolled as a voter. The linkage would be voluntary and conducted in line with Article 326 of the Indian constitution, which guarantees voting rights solely to Indian citizens.

The development comes after a meeting between top government officials, including the Union Home Secretary, the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the CEO of UIDAI. These consultations were focused on how Aadhaar seeding could potentially be implemented in the voter registration process.

Aadhaar-linking process still voluntary

The Election Commission explained that the linkage would adhere to the provisions laid out in the Representation of the People Act, 1950, specifically Section 23(4), 23(5), and 23(6). This section of the law permits the voluntary sharing of Aadhaar numbers for the purpose of voter registration, but it does not mandate it. The clause uses the term “may” in relation to the voluntary provision of Aadhaar details, which leaves room for further legislative amendments if the linkage were to be made mandatory in the future. However, at this stage, no such move has been made.

The announcement follows a statement by the government in April 2023, where it confirmed that no active efforts had been made to begin linking Aadhaar with voter cards. The government also assured that names of voters who chose not to link their Aadhaar numbers would not be removed from the voter rolls.

The proposal has stirred a significant amount of controversy. Opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Biju Janata Dal, have raised concerns about irregularities in voter list management. These parties have accused the government and the Election Commission of mishandling voter registration and calling for reforms to increase transparency in the electoral process.

EC faces scrutiny over voter data

Several political leaders and activists have filed petitions in the courts, asking for judicial oversight on voter roll accuracy and the potential impact of the Aadhaar-linking initiative.

In another related development, the Supreme Court has expressed interest in the Election Commission’s willingness to deliberate over the demand to upload polling booth-wise voter turnout data on its website. The court directed petitioners to submit their formal representations to the EC within the next 10 days.

The Congress party has seized on the Election Commission’s decision to hold technical consultations with UIDAI, interpreting it as an acknowledgment of the party’s concerns about discrepancies in the electoral rolls.

The ongoing debate highlights the growing tension surrounding the management of voter lists and the push for increased transparency and accountability in India’s election system. The EC's discussions on Aadhaar-linking are expected to continue, with further developments likely in the coming months.