Voter, Aadhaar databases to link, opt-out option to stay

THE ELECTION COMMISSION will work with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to link its voter records with the Aadhaar database, while the law ministry will amend Form 6B to clarify that providing Aadhaar details remains voluntary, though voters declining to share this information must explain their reasons, it has been learnt.

- RITIKA CHOPRA & DAMINI NATH

These decisions were made at a high-level meeting held on Tuesday between senior officers of the ECI and the home ministry, law ministry, IT ministry and UIDAI.

The meeting, the first one between the Commission and the Union government this year, was attended by home secretary Govind Mohan; MEITY secretary S Krishnan; legislative department secretary Rajiv Mani and UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar.

It was held against the backdrop of the Opposition INDIA bloc parties alleging irregularities in electoral rolls in different parts of the country.