Should Voter IDs Be Linked with Aadhaar?

Syllabus: GS2/Governance 

Context

• The debate over linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar has been a contentious issue in India, with arguments both for and against the move.

Background

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the National Electoral Rolls Purification and Authentication Program (NERPAP) in 2015 to address issues like duplicate entries in electoral rolls.
  • This initiative aimed to link Voter IDs (EPIC) with Aadhaar numbers for authentication. However, the Supreme Court’s interim order in 2015 restricted the mandatory use of Aadhaar to welfare schemes and PAN linking, halting NERPAP.
• In 2021, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, was amended to allow voluntary linking of Voter IDs with Aadhaar to enhance electoral roll accuracy and eliminate duplicate entries.

Rationale Behind Linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar

• Elimination of Duplicate and Fraudulent Entries: By linking with Aadhaar, which is based on biometric authentication, the duplication of entries across constituencies can be minimized.
  • The Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, allows electoral officers to request Aadhaar numbers for identity verification.
• Improved Electoral Rolls: Regular Aadhaar-based verification ensures accurate, updated electoral rolls.
• Administrative Efficiency: With over 99% of adults possessing Aadhaar cards, utilizing this database can streamline voter verification processes, making them quicker and more cost-effective.
• Facilitating Voter Mobility: Aadhaar linkage can help voters who move to different states or regions by simplifying the process of updating their voter registration details.
• Inclusion and Accessibility: Linking Aadhaar with Voter ID can pave the way for future innovations like remote voting, enabling migrant workers and those living away from their constituencies to exercise their voting rights.

Arguments Against Linking Voter IDs with Aadhaar

• Privacy and Data Security Concerns: Linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs could lead to the misuse of personal data, especially in the absence of a robust data protection law, making it vulnerable to breaches, profiling, or surveillance.
• Data Accuracy Issues: Errors in the Aadhaar database could lead to incorrect voter exclusions or inclusions, undermining electoral integrity.
• Risk of Disenfranchisement: Past experiences, such as the 2015 linkage exercise in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, resulted in the disenfranchisement (loss of voting rights) of around 30 lakh voters.
  • Errors in biometric authentication, with reported failure rates up to 12%, further exacerbate this risk.
  • Such exclusions in the electoral context would violate the Right to vote.

• Legal and Constitutional Questions: The Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment on Aadhaar limited its mandatory usage to welfare schemes, emphasizing that it cannot be imposed universally.
  • Linking it with Voter ID could face legal challenges under this precedent.
• Electoral Manipulation: Critics worry about the centralization of sensitive data, which could theoretically be exploited for political gains or voter profiling.
• Citizenship Verification Issues: Aadhaar serves as proof of residence, not citizenship. Relying on it for voter verification may not effectively prevent non-citizens from being listed on electoral rolls.

Current Status in India

• As of now, the linking of Voter IDs with Aadhaar remains voluntary.
• The ECI has clarified that no voter will be denied registration or have their name deleted from the electoral roll due to the inability to furnish an Aadhaar number.
• Alternative identification documents can be used if Aadhaar is unavailable.

Global Perspectives

• Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom use unique identifiers, but none employ a system as extensive and biometric-based as Aadhaar for voter authentication.
• Instead, most focus on ensuring inclusivity and avoiding disenfranchisement.

Way Forward

• Robust Legal Safeguards: Enactment of a comprehensive data protection law that ensures privacy and safeguards against misuse is essential before implementing this linkage.
• Voluntary Opt-in Mechanism: The process should remain voluntary and not impede voters’ rights, ensuring that those without Aadhaar are not disenfranchised.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating voters about the process and benefits while addressing privacy concerns is critical to garnering trust.
• Independent Auditing Mechanisms: Regular audits and oversight by independent bodies can ensure the system’s accountability and minimize risks of manipulation or data breaches.

Conclusion

• The linking of Voter IDs with Aadhaar offers potential benefits like enhanced electoral roll accuracy, reduced fraud, and administrative efficiency. However, significant concerns related to privacy, data security, and voter disenfranchisement must be addressed. 
• A balanced approach—focusing on voluntary participation, robust safeguards, and public awareness—can help ensure that this initiative strengthens democracy without compromising citizens’ rights.

Source: TH