Supreme Court Directs Election Commission to Consider Ration Card Alongside Aadhaar and Voter ID for Voter Verification

National News: Political and legal discussions have intensified around the special verification drive of the voter list ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. On one hand, the Supreme Court has advised the Election Commission to consider including documents such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Card to ensure greater transparency in the voter identification process. On the other hand, it has emerged that the Election Commission is already using these documents in the ongoing verification exercise.

Election Commission Already Collecting Document Details

As part of this special campaign, which began on June 24, voters across Bihar are being asked to fill out counting forms. These forms require details of Aadhaar and Voter ID cards. In addition, the Commission has provided a list of 11 alternative documents, from which voters must submit at least one for verification. While the Supreme Court's advice is recent, the implementation of this system has already been underway at the grassroots level.

Ration Card Under Consideration, No Final Decision Yet

The Supreme Court has also proposed that ration cards be included as valid documents for voter verification. However, the Election Commission has yet to take a final stance on this matter. Officials associated with the Commission have stated that the legal validity of using ration cards as proof of identity is currently under review, and a decision will be taken based on this assessment.

Multiple Documents to Prevent Fraud

The primary goal behind seeking multiple documents is to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the voter list. In recent years, there have been repeated instances of fraudulent entries using forged or unverifiable documents. To curb this malpractice, the Commission is now following a multi-level verification process, which aims to enhance the fairness and reliability of the final electoral roll.

66% of Voter Data Already Verified

According to officials, the Election Commission has so far collected 5.22 crore counting forms, covering nearly 66.16% of Bihar’s total 7.89 crore registered voters. The process is ongoing, and the Commission is confident that the verification will be completed well before the July 25 deadline.

A Transparent Yet Complex Process

The verification process in Bihar has become a crucial element in ensuring clean and fair elections. While the Supreme Court’s suggestions aim to balance constitutional rights and administrative efficiency, the Election Commission’s proactive measures show its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral rolls. It remains to be seen whether the Commission will ease document requirements in response to the Court's recommendations or adhere to its current verification protocol.