SC Orders Aadhaar Inclusion in Bihar Voter ID Verification
The Supreme Court’s intervention in Bihar’s voter registration process has sent ripples across the nation. The Election Commission’s (EC) reliance on eleven alternative documents for verification, excluding Aadhaar, faced strong criticism.
The EC argued that while Aadhaar verifies identity, it doesn’t confirm citizenship, a point applicable to non-citizens as well. This rationale, however, did not satisfy the court.
The Supreme Court, in its order, directed the EC to include Aadhaar, along with existing Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) and ration cards, in the verification process. The court deemed the existing eleven documents insufficient to definitively establish citizenship.
The apex court’s decision highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of Aadhaar for citizen identification and its role in electoral processes. The Supreme Court will further review the Systematic Voters’ Information Registration (SVIR) process on July 28, 2025.
This ruling holds significant implications for future electoral reforms and the ongoing discussion on establishing a robust and reliable voter identification system across India. The upcoming review hearing will be closely watched for its potential impact on voter registration procedures nationwide.
