Should Voter ID be linked with Aadhaar to Combat Voter Fraud?

Table of Contents

Allegations of election fraud, such as deliberate name deletions and booth capturing. Claims of tampering with electronic voting machines (EVMs), including misuse after polling hours.

Aadhaar’s Role and Features

Unique Identification: Aadhaar assigns a unique number to every individual.
Real-Time Authentication: Aadhaar offers online authentication.
Limitations: Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship and can be issued to lawful non-residents. It does not directly establish voting rights.

National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP), 2015

Launched by: Election Commission of India.
Objective: To create an error-free and authenticated electoral roll by linking the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) with the Aadhaar number of registered voters.
However, the implementation of NERPAP faced challenges, particularly following an interim order by the Supreme Court of India on August 11, 2015, which put the program on hold due to concerns about privacy and data misuse.

Benefits of Linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs

Elimination of Duplicate Voter IDs: Migration or address changes often lead to duplicate voter registrations. Linking can identify and eliminate such duplicates.
- This was experimented with biometric data collection in Goa but was discontinued when Aadhaar was introduced.
Curbing Proxy Voting: Aadhaar’s authentication can prevent impersonation during voting.
Transparency in Electoral Rolls: Ensures that one person has only one voter ID.
- Helps identify errors or deliberate manipulation of rolls.

Concerns Associated with Linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs

Privacy and Data Security: Aadhaar contains sensitive biometric data, and linking it to voter IDs could raise concerns about unauthorized access or misuse.
Exclusion Risks: Technical errors, lack of Aadhaar availability, or mismatched data could lead to genuine voters being disenfranchised.
Not a Proof of Citizenship: Aadhaar can be issued to non-citizens legally residing in India, making it unsuitable as sole verification for voter eligibility.
Potential for Misuse: Linking Aadhaar could inadvertently allow access to voter details by political parties, leading to targeted campaigning or unsolicited communication.
Human and Systemic Errors: Errors in the Aadhaar database (e.g., incorrect entries) may result in discrepancies when linked with voter rolls.
Lack of Legal Clarity: The legal framework for Aadhaar’s usage in the electoral process needs to be robust to avoid misuse and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

Way Forward

Technology’s Role: Aadhaar can address technical issues like duplication.
Human and Institutional Integrity: Addressing political and administrative misconduct is critical.
ECI’s Responsibility: Proactive communication and action to dispel doubts and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.