Big Decision by EC: Aadhaar Card Accepted as Voter ID in Bihar Elections

Now your Aadhaar card is not just your identity, but it will also strengthen your biggest power in democracy, i.e., your vote. Following the Supreme Court’s direction, the Election Commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar to accept the Aadhaar card as the 12th document to establish the identity of the voter. This decision will make the voter identification process even easier and convenient.

Aadhaar becomes the 12th identity document

According to a Hindustan Times report, the Election Commission has said in a letter sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar on Tuesday that “Apart from the 11 documents already valid, Aadhaar card should also be accepted for voter identification…”

This direction comes after the Supreme Court’s decision, in which the court directed the Election Commission to include the Aadhaar card as a mandatory identity card in the special revision campaign of the voter list in Bihar.

Use of Aadhaar in Voter ID

As per Section 9 of the Aadhaar (Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, the Election Commission has clarified that the Aadhaar card should be accepted as “proof of identity” and not as “proof of citizenship”. That is, if you do not have a voter ID card, you can show an Aadhaar card as a valid identity card to exercise your right to vote. This is already valid under Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Action will be taken for not following the rules.

The Election Commission has given a strict warning that, “If any officer refuses to accept the Aadhaar card despite this direction or does not follow the rules, it will be taken very seriously.” The Supreme Court had on Monday directed that the Aadhaar card should be mandatorily included as identity proof of voters in the special revision campaign of the voter list in Bihar.

The court had asked the Election Commission to implement this direction by September 9. With this decision, the process of voter identification has become even simpler and easier, which will enable more and more people to exercise their franchise.