⚖️ Introduction: Aadhaar and Ration Card Not Valid Voter Proof in Bihar SIR
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified before the Supreme Court that Aadhaar and ration cards are not valid proof of voter eligibility, especially in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Commission emphasized that these documents may establish identity but do not confirm citizenship, which is a constitutional requirement under Article 326.
📜 Legal Position: Identity vs Citizenship
| Document | ECI’s Stand |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar | Valid for identity only; not proof of citizenship |
| Ration Card | Unreliable due to prevalence of fake/temporary cards |
| EPIC (Voter ID) | Not accepted as standalone proof during fresh revision of electoral rolls |
The ECI cited Section 23(4) of the RP Act, 1950 and Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, which explicitly state that Aadhaar is not evidence of citizenship.
🧾 Supreme Court Proceedings and Petitions
The affidavit was filed in response to petitions alleging that the SIR process could lead to disenfranchisement of marginalised communities. The ECI rejected these claims, stating that:
“The Petitioners’ contention that the failure to submit Enumeration Form will result in disenfranchisement… is incorrect.”
The Commission assured that Aadhaar numbers are being collected only for identity verification, and the list of acceptable documents is indicative, not exhaustive.
💬 Vakilify Insight
This clarification by the ECI reinforces that citizenship—not just identity—is the cornerstone of voter eligibility. As Bihar prepares for elections, the ruling underscores the importance of documentary precision in maintaining electoral integrity without compromising inclusivity.
🔗 Internal Links for Vakilify Readers
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🔗 Official Outbound Reference
