Voter ID to Be Linked with Aadhaar, Decision Taken in Election Commission’s High-Level Meeting
New Delhi, 18 March – (www.deccanlive.com): The Election Commission has decided to link Voter ID (EPIC) with Aadhaar. This decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday. The Commission clarified that this process will be carried out strictly under the Constitution and as per the Supreme Court’s decision.
Process Will Follow Legal Framework
The Election Commission stated that linking Voter ID with Aadhaar will be done under Article 326 of the Constitution and Sections 23(4), 23(5), and 23(6) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Commission emphasized that Aadhaar is only proof of identity, not of citizenship.
The Commission explained, “According to the Constitution, only Indian citizens have the right to vote. Aadhaar proves a person’s identity but does not confirm citizenship. Therefore, this process will be conducted within the legal framework and in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Discussion with Technical Experts to Begin Soon
The Election Commission and technical experts from UIDAI, the organization that issues Aadhaar cards, will soon start working on this process. The entire process will be carried out with strict attention to cybersecurity and data privacy to avoid any confusion regarding citizenship.
Suggestions Sought from Political Parties
After taking office, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has accelerated election reforms. The Election Commission is taking several new steps to make upcoming elections more transparent and inclusive.
For the first time, the Commission has invited suggestions from all national and state-recognized political parties by April 30, 2025. Additionally, meetings with election registration officers, district election officers, and chief election officers will be held by March 31, 2025. These meetings will discuss concerns and suggestions from political parties to ensure trust and transparency in the election process.
