‘Forcible’ Aadhaar-voter ID linking

CategoryPolity

Last Updated23/08/2022

Despite clarifications from various government authorities that the linking of Aadhaar with the voter identity card is “voluntary”, there have been instances of people being warned by booth-level officers that their voter ID would be canceled if it is not linked to their Aadhaar number.

The contentious Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which allows for the linking of electoral data with the Aadhaar number, was passed by Parliament in December 2021, amid strong protests by the Opposition.
The Union Law Minister had informed Parliament that linking the voter ID with a person’s Aadhaar details would be voluntary.
However, the IFF also pointed out that the Ministry of Law and Justice recently amended Form 6, and introduced Form 6B to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
These forms make it compulsory for those who have Aadhaar to provide their Aadhaar Numbers in order to vote,".
The Election Commission of India started a campaign on August 1 for the “voluntary” linking of Aadhaar details with the voter ID. As part of the campaign, the Commission has set up camps and also begun door-to-door collection of data. It has collected over 2.5 crore Aadhaar details till August

Reasons behind linking voter IDs with Aadhaar numbers were to streamline electoral rolls and the process of registration of migrated voters without duplication in the rolls and to curb the menace of multiple enrolment of the same person in different places.
The move, however, has drawn flak from various sections of society citing violations to an individual's right to privacy.
Many have also flagged concerns that the linkage would help in creating voter profiles which may be used to influence the voting process.