{ ECI TELL SC } REVISION OF BIHAR ELECTORAL ROLLS ‘Aadhaar, EPIC, ration cards not proof of voter eligibility’

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday defended its ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, telling the Supreme Court that Aadhaar, voter identity or ration cards cannot be accepted as proof of voter eligibility and asserting its constitutional authority to demand evidence of citizenship.

- Utkarsh Anand

In a detailed affidavit submitted on Monday evening, the poll body argued that its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution provide it with plenary authority to supervise and direct all aspects of elections, including the preparation of electoral rolls. This constitutional mandate, it contended, empowers the Commission to scrutinise voter eligibility, including the requirement of Indian citizenship as prescribed under Article 326. The poll watchdog said failing to prove citizenship for voter registration did not amount to termination of one’s citizenship.

The affidavit comes in response to a batch of petitions filed by several Opposition parliamentarians and civil society organisations, which challenge the legality, timing, and manner of the SIR exercise. The top court, on July 10, agreed to examine the validity of SIR and urged that the draft rolls should not be finalised pending further orders. The court had also asked ECI to consider Aadhaar cards, voter IDs and ration cards, as acceptable proof of eligibility for inclusion in electoral rolls.