The Election Commission has said that Aadhaar card, ration card or earlier voter ID card is not sufficient to include someone’s name in the voter list. The Commission has said this in the reply filed in the Supreme Court in the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) case. In the last hearing, the court suggested recognition of these three documents for the identity of the voter during SIR. The next hearing of the case is to be held on July 28.
In the affidavit filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar, it has been said that the voter list is being reviewed and corrected through SIR. At this time, the voter ID card that people have, it was released on the basis of the same voter list which is under the scope of review. If he is recognized while making a new list, then the whole exercise will become meaningless.
What did the Election Commission say in the affidavit regarding Aadhaar card?
The affidavit has said about the Aadhaar card that it is just an identity card, not a proof of citizenship. Therefore, no one can be given place in the voter list only due to Aadhaar card. The Commission has cited Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. This section clearly says that the Aadhaar card does not give anyone citizenship of India.
Ration cards become fake in large numbers: Election Commission
Regarding the ration card, the Election Commission has said that it is not a reliable document to have a name in the voter list. A large number of fake cards are made. In March this year, the Government of India had talked about canceling 5 crore fake ration cards.
The Commission has made it clear that it is not forbidden to submit these documents in voter revision. If other reliable documents are given with these documents, then they can be accepted. The local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) can decide to accept or reject them on the basis of their satisfaction. They are still being seen as a proof of identity.