Aadhaar, Voter ID & Ration Cards Can’t Be Considered for SIR: ECI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it clear that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards cannot be considered as standalone proof of voter eligibility during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral roll. This decision comes after the Supreme Court suggested accepting these documents as proof of identity during the SIR exercise.
The SIR process is a crucial exercise undertaken by the ECI to clean up and update the electoral rolls. The process involves collecting information from citizens to ensure that the electoral rolls are accurate and up-to-date. The ECI has made it clear that only certain documents can be accepted as proof of identity during the SIR exercise.
The Supreme Court had suggested accepting Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as proof of identity during the SIR exercise. However, the ECI has rejected this suggestion, citing the need to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process. According to the ECI, these documents may not be foolproof and can be manipulated or forged.
The ECI has clarified that only those documents that are specifically notified by the Commission can be accepted as proof of identity during the SIR exercise. The Commission has notified a list of 33 documents that can be accepted as proof of identity, including passport, driving license, PAN card, and bank passbook.
The ECI has also clarified that a person’s citizenship will not be terminated on account of not being part of the electoral rolls. According to the ECI, citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away on the basis of a person’s failure to register themselves in the electoral rolls.
The decision to reject the Supreme Court’s suggestion has been welcomed by many political parties and civil society organizations. According to them, accepting Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as proof of identity would have compromised the integrity of the electoral process.
The ECI has also clarified that the SIR exercise is a one-time exercise and will not be repeated. The Commission has instructed the electoral registration officers to ensure that the SIR exercise is completed within the stipulated time frame.
The ECI has also taken several steps to ensure that the SIR exercise is conducted in a transparent and fair manner. The Commission has instructed the electoral registration officers to maintain a record of all documents submitted by citizens during the exercise. The Commission has also set up a grievance redressal mechanism to address any complaints or issues that may arise during the exercise.
The SIR exercise is a crucial step in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The exercise helps to clean up and update the electoral rolls, ensuring that only eligible citizens are enrolled as voters. The exercise also helps to detect and eliminate duplicate entries and bogus voters.
In conclusion, the ECI’s decision to reject the Supreme Court’s suggestion to accept Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as proof of identity during the SIR exercise is a welcome move. The decision ensures that the integrity of the electoral process is maintained and that only eligible citizens are enrolled as voters.
