Why in the News?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is again trying to link Aadhaar with voter ID, claiming it will help remove fake voters, clean up the voter list, and make elections more fair. However, this move could put people’s right to vote at risk.
Why is Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage seen as a threat to voting rights?
- Risk of Mass Disenfranchisement: Linking Aadhaar with voter ID can lead to the wrongful deletion of genuine voters from electoral rolls due to data mismatches or errors in the Aadhaar database. Eg: In 2015, during the National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme, over 55 lakh voters were arbitrarily removed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, causing many to discover their names missing only on election day.
- Violation of the Right to Privacy and Autonomy: The linkage forces citizens to part with their Aadhaar information, effectively making a voluntary scheme coercive. It exposes citizens to data misuse and profiling by political actors. Eg: Form 6B requires Aadhaar submission or a declaration of non-possession, with no real opt-out, pressuring citizens to comply.
- Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Groups like the elderly, disabled, migrant workers, and rural residents face practical challenges in appearing before Electoral Officers to justify not having Aadhaar, putting their right to vote at risk. Eg: The proposed requirement for in-person appearance imposes an unreasonable burden, especially for people in remote or underserved areas.
How does the linkage affect vulnerable groups?
- Imposes Unreasonable Physical Burden: The requirement for in-person appearances before Electoral Registration Officers disproportionately affects individuals who may not be able to travel easily. Eg: Elderly citizens or persons with disabilities may find it extremely difficult to justify their non-submission of Aadhaar physically, leading to potential exclusion from the voter list.
- Excludes Migrants and Remote Populations: Migrant workers and people living in remote or underdeveloped regions may not have updated documents or easy access to Aadhaar centers, making compliance difficult. Eg: Migrant laborers, often on the move, may not have consistent records, leading to their disenfranchisement due to Aadhaar mismatches or absence.
- Leads to Arbitrary Deletions from Electoral Rolls: Errors in Aadhaar data or failure to link properly can result in the deletion of legitimate voters, especially those lacking digital literacy or assistance. Eg: During the 2015 Aadhaar-linking exercise, many daily wage workers and marginalized citizens in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana found their names deleted without prior notice.
Which past events highlight the risks of this linkage?
- 2015 Deletions under National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP): The Election Commission attempted Aadhaar-voter ID linkage in 2015, leading to large-scale deletion of genuine voters due to data mismatches. Eg: In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, over 55 lakh voters were removed from rolls. Many citizens discovered this only on polling day, causing mass disenfranchisement.
- Supreme Court Stay in August 2015: Following the backlash from the 2015 deletions, the Supreme Court stayed the Aadhaar-voter ID linkage to prevent further voter exclusion. Eg: The Court’s order halted the programme, citing privacy concerns and lack of legal backing, highlighting the constitutional risks involved.
- CAG Report on Aadhaar Database Flaws (2021): The Comptroller and Auditor General found serious flaws in the Aadhaar system, including duplications and unverifiable residency, raising concerns about its suitability for electoral verification. Eg: The CAG audit revealed that 4.75 lakh Aadhaar numbers were cancelled due to errors and duplication, showing how flawed data could wrongly affect voter rolls.
Way forward:
- Traditional Voter Verification Methods: Instead of relying on Aadhaar, the ECI should strengthen manual verification systems. Eg: Door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and in-person checks help maintain accuracy and uphold voter rights without risking exclusions.
- Independent Audits and Social Oversight: Introducing social audits and independent reviews of electoral rolls can enhance transparency and trust in the system. Eg: Public grievance redressal mechanisms and independent monitoring can prevent politically motivated manipulation and ensure fairness.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2024] Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to “one nation-one election” principle.
Linakege: “one nation-one election,” it falls under the broader theme of electoral reforms. The article discusses a specific electoral reform, the Aadhaar-voter ID linkage, and argues that it has negative consequences for the right to vote. Therefore, this PYQ, concerning the need for and nature of electoral reforms, is relevant as the Aadhaar linking initiative can be seen as a debated electoral reform with potential risks to the franchise.
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