India's Voter ID Dilemma
The issue of voter identification in India highlights a critical distinction between IDs and Unique IDs. While an ID may denote a person's eligibility for certain roles, a Unique ID verifies their individual identity. The Indian governance system has often blurred these lines, leading to significant consequences, particularly in the electoral process.
Election Commission's Recent Actions
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a plan to link Voter IDs (Electoral Photo Identity Card or EPIC) with Aadhaar.
- EPIC serves as an ID for voting purposes, whereas Aadhaar is a Unique ID designed to confirm individual identity across functions.
This move by the ECI indicates an implicit acknowledgment that the Voter ID system is not inherently unique, contradicting previous assertions made in 2008.
Issues with Voter Registration
- The Maharashtra State election in November 2024 highlighted discrepancies, with a sudden and inexplicable surge of 40 lakh new voters registered in just five months.
- Such anomalies suggest the presence of duplicate or fraudulent voter registrations, where individuals may possess multiple Voter IDs.
- Instances were found where the same Voter ID was registered in different states, undermining the uniqueness of Voter IDs.
Aadhaar Linking as a Solution
- Linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs can potentially resolve the issue of multiple voter registrations due to its biometric verification process.
- This linkage requires comprehensive implementation, where all voters must have their Aadhaar linked to ensure effectiveness.
- Aadhaar linkage would thus become a necessary condition for voting eligibility, although its mandatory status is legally contentious.
Challenges and Recommendations
- The ECI faces the challenge of balancing the integrity of voter lists with the legal implications of enforcing Aadhaar linkage.
- Ensuring no eligible voter is disenfranchised is paramount, necessitating an oath-bound guarantee from the ECI.
- Linking Aadhaar can also address issues of repeat voting, as the current method of marking fingers with indelible ink is not foolproof.
In conclusion, while de-duplicating voter lists through 100% Aadhaar linkage offers significant benefits, it must be approached with care to uphold democratic integrity and individual rights without unjust disenfranchisement.
