In a significant ruling related to the intensive revision of the Bihar electoral rolls, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that while Aadhaar is a valid form of identification for inclusion in the voter list, it cannot be considered proof of Indian citizenship.
During a hearing on Monday, the apex court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to recognize Aadhaar as the 12th acceptable document for individuals seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls. Previously, the ECI had recognized 11 documents, excluding Aadhaar. With this ruling, Aadhaar must now be accepted alongside the existing list for voter registration purposes.
Supreme Court’s Directive to the Election Commission
The bench instructed the ECI to issue necessary orders to all its officials ensuring the acceptance of Aadhaar as a valid ID for voter registration. However, the Court made it unequivocally clear that Aadhaar cannot serve as proof of citizenship.
Election Commission Has the Right to Verify Aadhaar Validity
In a notable relief to the Election Commission, the Supreme Court affirmed that the ECI has the authority to verify the authenticity of Aadhaar cards submitted during the voter registration process. Emphasizing the integrity of the electoral process, the Court stated:
“Only genuine citizens should be allowed to vote. Those attempting to enroll using forged or unauthorized documents must be excluded from the voter rolls.”
The Court also remarked that no one desires the inclusion of illegal immigrants in the electoral rolls, reinforcing the Election Commission’s duty to ensure accuracy and authenticity in voter identification.
Aadhaar Not Evidence of Citizenship, Says SC
Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission, submitted that Aadhaar cannot be treated as proof of citizenship. Concurring with this, Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice S.K. Bagchi clarified that, apart from passports and birth certificates, even the other 11 documents recognized by the ECI do not qualify as proof of citizenship.
