Supreme Court Directs Election Commission to Consider Aadhaar as 12th Document for Voter ID in Bihar
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has directed that Aadhaar cards be considered as the 12th document for identification purposes in Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This means Aadhaar can be used to verify a person's identity for inclusion or exclusion in the voter list. However, the court emphasized that Aadhaar will not serve as proof of citizenship. The Election Commission is tasked with verifying the authenticity of Aadhaar cards and will have the authority to investigate any suspicious documents. The Commission is also required to publish information about this order on its website.
Election Commission's Stance on Aadhaar
The Election Commission's lawyer, Rakesh Dwivedi, clarified that while Aadhaar can be used as proof of identity, it cannot be treated as proof of citizenship. Dwivedi emphasized that Aadhaar cannot be given the same weight as a passport. The Commission expressed concerns about accepting Aadhaar as a definitive document, citing the prevalence of fake documents. However, Justice Kant noted that the Commission has the capability to verify documents and ensure their authenticity.
Debate Over Aadhaar's Role
During the proceedings, Advocate Sibal argued that Aadhaar should be accepted as the 12th document without opposition. Gopal Shankarnarayan questioned why there was resistance to this proposal. Justice Kant pointed out that if Aadhaar is considered a valid document, then there should be no issue with its acceptance. Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay raised concerns about individuals who might not have other documents but possess an Aadhaar card. Advocate Grover highlighted that for many poor individuals, Aadhaar is the only document they have. Dwivedi countered with concerns about ensuring the integrity of the voter registration process.
Clarification on Aadhaar's Limitations
The Supreme Court made it clear that while Aadhaar can be used for identity verification, it is not proof of citizenship. Justice Kant emphasized that genuine citizens have the right to vote, while those using fake documents do not. The court also noted that the law regarding Aadhaar is well-defined, and it is one of the official documents that can be used for verification purposes. The Election Commission will review Aadhaar cards and investigate any doubts about their legitimacy.
The Supreme Court's ruling allows Aadhaar to be used as a document for identity verification in Bihar's voter registration process, while reiterating its limitations as proof of citizenship. The Election Commission will be responsible for ensuring the authenticity of Aadhaar cards and making the necessary adjustments to the voter list based on the court's directives.