The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced its decision to link Voter ID cards (EPIC) with Aadhaar to remove ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants. This initiative follows consultations with experts from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to ensure a secure and legally compliant process.

Meeting with Key Authorities to Finalise Implementation

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, held discussions with officials from the Union Home Ministry, UIDAI, and other relevant departments on Tuesday. The meeting focused on addressing the technical and legal framework required for the Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage.

The ECI clarified that voting rights remain exclusive to Indian citizens under Article 326 of the Constitution. Aadhaar, however, only serves as proof of identity and does not grant voting rights. The linkage process will comply with constitutional provisions, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and relevant Supreme Court judgments.

Technical Discussions to Begin Soon

Following the decision, ECI and UIDAI experts will soon initiate technical discussions to ensure the smooth implementation of the voter ID-Aadhaar linkage. The move aims to strengthen electoral integrity by preventing duplicate and bogus voter entries.

Political Leaders Raise Concerns Over Voter Roll Accuracy

The decision comes amid allegations by opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, regarding discrepancies in voter rolls. Concerns have been raised over the presence of duplicate and fraudulent entries, making this linkage a crucial step towards electoral transparency.

Currently, linking Aadhaar with Voter ID remains voluntary. Citizens are not legally obligated to provide their Aadhaar details. However, the ECI is engaging with political parties to seek their cooperation in reinforcing the integrity of the electoral process.

April 30 Deadline for Political Parties to Submit Concerns

The Commission has set an April 30 deadline for political parties to report discrepancies in voter rolls. It has also invited party leaders for direct consultations to resolve concerns within the legal framework.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar has instructed election officials nationwide to maintain regular discussions with political parties and submit reports on actions taken by March 31. The ECI has reiterated that political parties are key stakeholders in ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.

By linking Aadhaar with Voter ID, the Election Commission aims to eliminate ineligible voters and enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls. As technical discussions move forward, the ECI remains committed to engaging with stakeholders and ensuring compliance with legal guidelines. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the implementation strategy for this significant electoral reform.