What’s in Today’s Article?

• Introduction (Historical Context, Current Process)
• Linking with Aadhar (Advantages, Challenges, Concerns, Way Ahead, etc.)
• Conclusion

Introduction:

• The debate over linking Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) with Aadhaar has been reignited amidst allegations of electoral roll manipulation.
• Prominent political parties have accused each other of tampering with voter lists, especially ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.
• This issue draws attention to the potential benefits and challenges of such a linkage.

Historical Context:

• Initial Steps (2015):
• The National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Program (NERPAP) was launched by the Election Commission (EC) to address duplicate entries in electoral rolls.
• The program aimed to authenticate voter data by linking EPIC with Aadhaar. Within three months, over 300 million voters were linked.
• Supreme Court Intervention (2015):
• The program was halted after the Supreme Court ruled that Aadhaar's mandatory use should be limited to welfare schemes and PAN linking.
• Revival (Post-2018):
• Following the Puttaswamy judgment, which upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, was amended in 2021 to enable the voluntary linking of voter IDs with Aadhaar.

Current Process:

• Submission Requirements:
• New voters can provide Aadhaar during registration using Form 6, while existing voters can use Form 6B for authentication.
• If a voter does not have Aadhaar, alternative documents like a PAN card, driving license, or passport can be submitted.
• Voluntary Nature:
• The EC clarified in 2023 that linking Aadhaar is not mandatory and ensured no voter will be excluded for failing to provide it.
• However, forms have not been updated to reflect this clarification, causing confusion.

Advantages of Linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs:

• Elimination of Duplicates:
  • Linking Aadhaar can help remove duplicate or fraudulent entries, ensuring cleaner electoral rolls. Currently, over 650 million Aadhaar numbers have been linked.
• Improved Electoral Integrity:
  • Accurate voter data can strengthen the electoral process by reducing instances of impersonation and ensuring fair elections.
• Administrative Efficiency:
  • A streamlined voter database can reduce administrative overhead during elections, making the process more efficient.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Errors in Aadhaar Database:
  • Even minor inaccuracies in Aadhaar data can lead to wrongful deletion or rejection of legitimate voter entries.
• Proof of Citizenship:
  • Aadhaar is a proof of residence, not citizenship. Linking Aadhaar will not address the issue of non-citizens being on electoral rolls, requiring separate measures by the EC.
• Privacy Risks:
  • Electoral rolls are widely circulated among political parties, and linking Aadhaar may risk misuse of personal data, even if Aadhaar numbers are only linked in the backend.
• Public Misconceptions:
  • Many voters fear that linking Aadhaar with voter IDs might compromise the secrecy of their votes, leading to reduced confidence in the system.

The Way Forward:

• Transparent Communication:
  • Public awareness campaigns are necessary to educate voters about the benefits of Aadhaar linkage and address misconceptions regarding data security and voter secrecy.
• Updating Forms:
  • The EC must urgently update forms to explicitly state that providing Aadhaar is voluntary, as clarified in the 2023 Supreme Court submission.
• Data Security Measures:
  • Strong safeguards must be implemented to prevent misuse of Aadhaar-linked electoral data, ensuring voter confidence.
• Separate Citizenship Verification:
  • To ensure only citizens are on electoral rolls, the EC should develop independent methods of verifying citizenship, apart from Aadhaar linkage.

Conclusion:

The right to vote is a fundamental component of free and fair elections, integral to India's democratic framework.

While linking voter IDs with Aadhaar can enhance the integrity of the electoral process, it must be implemented with caution to address privacy concerns, data errors, and misconceptions.

A balanced approach, combining transparency, data security, and improved administrative measures, will be key to gaining public trust and strengthening the democratic process.