‘Forcible’ Aadhaar-voter ID linking

Source: The post is based on the article “‘Forcible’ Aadhaar-voter ID linking” published in The Hindu on 22^nd August 2022.

What is the News?

Various government authorities have clarified that the linking of Aadhaar with the voter identity card is “voluntary. But despite that, there have been instances of people being warned by booth-level officers that their voter ID would be cancelled if the linking is not done.

About the statutory provisions for linking of voter ID and Aadhaar

The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 allows for the linking of electoral data with the Aadhaar number. The Bill was passed by Parliament in December 2021.

However, the government informed that “Submission of Aadhaar number in Form 6B is voluntary. No entry in electoral roll shall be deleted on the ground of non-submission of Aadhaar number”.

What are the benefits and concerns associated with the linking of voter ID and Aadhaar?

Benefits: The government also announced that the purpose of obtaining an Aadhaar number is a) For authentication of electors’ entries in the electoral roll, b) To extend better electoral services, c) For registration of migrated voters without duplication in the rolls, and d) To curb the menace of multiple enrolments of the same person in different places.

Concerns: a) Violations to an individual’s right to privacy, and b) The linking might help in creating voter profiles which may be used to influence the voting process.

About the data on linking of voter ID and Aadhaar

The Election Commission of India started a campaign on August 1 for the “voluntary” linking of Aadhaar details with the voter ID.

As part of the campaign, the commission has set up camps and begun door-to-door collection of data. It has collected over 2.5 crore Aadhaar details till August 11.