Aadhaar, Voter ID & Ration Cards Can’t Be Considered for SIR: ECI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently made it clear that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards cannot be accepted as standalone proof of voter eligibility in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral roll. This decision comes as a response to the Supreme Court’s suggestion to consider these documents as proof of voter eligibility.
In a recent development, the ECI has rejected the Supreme Court’s suggestion to accept Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as proof of voter eligibility in the ongoing SIR of Bihar’s electoral roll. The poll body has made it clear that these documents cannot be accepted as standalone proof of voter eligibility, and instead, have specified the documents that can be accepted as proof of voter eligibility.
The Supreme Court had recently suggested that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards be accepted as proof of voter eligibility, stating that these documents can be used as a reliable means of verifying a person’s identity and citizenship. However, the ECI has rejected this suggestion, stating that these documents are not sufficient proof of voter eligibility.
According to the ECI, a person’s citizenship cannot be terminated on account of not being part of the electoral rolls. This means that even if a person is not registered in the electoral rolls, it does not necessarily mean that they are not a citizen of the country. The ECI has also made it clear that the onus of proving one’s citizenship lies with the individual, and not with the government.
The ECI has also specified the documents that can be accepted as proof of voter eligibility, which include the following:
- Passport
- Driving license
- PAN card
- Bank account passbook
- Government-issued ID
- Employer’s ID
- School/College ID
- Service ID
The ECI has also made it clear that these documents must be original and not photocopies. The ECI has also specified that the documents must be issued by a government-recognized authority, and must contain the person’s name, address, and date of birth.
The ECI has also announced that the SIR of Bihar’s electoral roll will begin on April 1 and will continue until June 30. During this period, eligible voters who are not registered in the electoral rolls can register themselves or make any necessary changes to their registration.
The ECI has also made it clear that the registration process will be online, and voters can register themselves through the National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) website. The ECI has also specified that the registration process will be free of cost, and no fee will be charged for registering or making changes to one’s registration.
In conclusion, the ECI has made it clear that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards cannot be accepted as standalone proof of voter eligibility in the ongoing SIR of Bihar’s electoral roll. The ECI has specified the documents that can be accepted as proof of voter eligibility, and has made it clear that the onus of proving one’s citizenship lies with the individual, and not with the government.
