The Election Commission of India(ECI) is reportedly aiming for a mandatory, legally backed linkage of Aadhaar number with the Voter ID to weed out duplication and misrepresentation in electoral rolls.
It is believed that the move will be aimed at improving the accuracy and credibility of the electoral rolls. ECI is likely to propose amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, thereby making it mandatory for voters to link their Voter IDs with the Aadhaar number.
According to the sources, ECI will send the suggestions to the Law Ministry shortly.
The September 26 verdict of the apex court restricts the linkage of Aadhaar number to only certain legally backed services. On the issue, ECI sought the advice of Aadhaar’s nodal body, UIDAI, on the applicability of the court order to the plan to resume linking on a voluntary basis.
UIDAI, in return, suggested an interim measure to allow limited linkage but maintained that full-fledged linkage needs legal backing.