In an order, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed officials across states and Union Territories to “do their best” to download Aadhaar numbers on the electoral roll data. The above document was titled ‘Opening Remarks of CEC at the CEOs Conference March 4’ and subsequently circulated among the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) all across the country. Following this, CEOs were asked to implement the guidelines among district election officers to achieve this at the grassroots level.
To improve identification and easily communicate with the electors, Aadhar linkage of the electors is necessary, informed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to the note, he stated that all efforts should be made to link Aadhaar and mobile numbers in order to identify the elector properly and ensure communication.
Kumar also said elections were the ‘first step’ in the direction of ‘national service’ and that the Election Commission would ‘leave no stone unturned’ in ensuring its constitutional responsibilities. Under this initiative, officials have been instructed to ensure that electoral rolls are kept current in constant liaison with the birth and death registration authorities. The aim of this measure is to guarantee that the voter list is strictly accurate and updated, thereby preventing duplication or errors.
The Chief Election Commissioner also directed booth level officers (BLOs) to carry out thorough door-to-door surveys to enroll all such eligible Indian citizens who will be 18 years of age on the dates of elections. According to him, such a process must be undertaken strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions to ensure that voter registration is fair and transparent.
But amid ongoing debates in India about privacy concerns and the need to link Aadhaar (voter ID), some opposition groups have asked about the broader ramifications of the ECI’s move. The commission, however, says that this step is imperative for a transparent and non-fraud electoral process.
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