10th September 2025 (16 Topics)
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Aadhaar and Electoral Roll
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Context:
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include Aadhaar as a valid document for enrolment in Bihar’s electoral roll, correcting an exclusionary approach.
Background and Significance
- Electoral Integrity: The credibility of the Election Commission rests on the principle that every citizen, irrespective of status, has the right to vote.
- Aadhaar’s Role: Aadhaar, being India’s most widely used proof of identity, offers biometric verification that supports electoral transparency.
- Supreme Court Intervention: By mandating Aadhaar’s inclusion, the Court rectified a major discrepancy in Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Challenges in Electoral Revision
- Exclusion Concerns: Past practices of door-to-door verification often placed the burden of proof on citizens, risking wrongful exclusion from the rolls.
- Flawed Approach: Bihar’s rushed SIR process focused more on excluding non-citizens than on ensuring the inclusion of genuine voters.
- Legal and Social Risks: Denial of Aadhaar in voter enrolment indirectly undermined the constitutional guarantee of universal adult suffrage.
The Way Forward for ECI
- Procedural Reforms: The ECI must adopt robust verification and regular revision processes that ensure accuracy without being exclusionary.
- Spirit of Inclusion: Aadhaar should be treated as an additional document of facilitation, not as proof of citizenship, aligning with democratic principles.
- Institutional Credibility: By implementing the SC’s directive, the ECI can restore public trust and uphold its record as an impartial guardian of free elections.
Practice Question:
"The Supreme Court’s recent directive to include Aadhaar as a valid document for electoral enrolment highlights the balance between electoral integrity and inclusiveness. Critically examine the implications of Aadhaar’s use in voter rolls for democracy and electoral reforms in India." (250 words)
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