Consider Aadhaar for Bihar voter roll revision: SC to EC

The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider the Aadhaar card, voter identity card, and ration card as acceptable documents for the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections, scheduled to take place later this year.

- BHAVINI MISHRA

"...it will be in the interest of justice, the ECI will also consider the Aadhaar card, Electoral Photo Identity Card issued by the Election Commission and the ration card," Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said while noting that the list of 11 documents specified by the ECI as acceptable records to show citizenship was not exhaustive but illustrative.

The matter has become controversial with Opposition parties turning critical of the ECI.

The court also said its direction did not mean the ECI had to include anyone's name in the roll solely on the basis of these documents.

"We have noted that any way you have said your list is not exhaustive. If you have good reason to discard the Aadhaar, you do it, (but) give reasons," Justice Dhulia said.