Implications of Linking Voter ID Card with Aadhaar

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused each other of corruption in the voter list ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, which has again brought the issue of linking voter ID with Aadhaar into the limelight.

Need and Benefits of Linking Voter ID with Aadhaar:

• Solution to the problem of duplicate voters: By solving the problem of duplicate voter registration, it can be ensured that each person has only one voter ID card.
• Accuracy in voter registration: Linking to Aadhaar can ensure real-time verification and better verification of voter identity to ensure that voters are registered in the right constituency. Hence, it will increase the overall accuracy of the voter list.
• Simplification of electoral process: It makes it easier for voters to update their registration details online, etc., thereby encouraging more citizens to participate in the electoral process.
• Improved security measures: Biometric features linked to Aadhaar, such as fingerprint and iris scans, provide additional security against identity theft and fraudulent voting practices.
• Improved access to other government services: Many government services require both Aadhaar and voter ID for identification purposes. Linking them can streamline access to various government services.
• Help in reforms: Aadhaar linkage can be useful in reforms such as remote voting, electronic and internet-based voting, etc.
• Efficient election management: It helps in easily tracking voters, reducing errors and fraud in election processes.

Key concerns:

• Privacy concerns: Linking voter ID to Aadhaar can raise various concerns regarding privacy and data security. Critics have argued that linking the two IDs could lead to misuse of personal information and privacy violations.
• Exclusion issues: It could disproportionately affect marginalised groups without Aadhaar due to various socio-economic reasons. People without Aadhaar cards could face difficulties in voting or accessing related services.
• Political misuse: Linking voter IDs to Aadhaar could lead to administrative corruption, including wrongful deletion of voters' names for political purposes.
• Inclusion of non-citizens: Aadhaar is only a proof of residence, not citizenship. In such a case, non-citizen voters could be included in the voter list.
• Administrative and technical challenges: Aadhaar could help eliminate duplicate voter IDs but it cannot address other issues such as fraud, manipulation or human errors in the process.
• Errors in the biometric system: Aadhaar is based on biometric based authentication and this process is not foolproof. Hence, errors in the Aadhaar database will also impact the voter ID card.
  • According to the Unique Identification Authority of India, the error rate in Aadhaar based biometric authentication is 12%.

Way Forward:

‘Free and fair election’ is an important part of the basic structure of the Constitution which cannot be limited through the legislative process. Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) linkage with Aadhaar card is certainly important in addressing the problem of duplicate voter registration. However, the above concerns need to be considered in this context-

• Wide publicity about the benefits of linking EPIC and Aadhaar
• Addressing any concerns among voters about the secrecy of vote being compromised
  • Currently, more than 650 million Aadhaar numbers have already been uploaded in the process of finalizing the voter lists.
• Strong data protection principles needed to address privacy concerns and use of authentication data
•  Form 6B also needs to be revised
  • This will ensure that it is not mandatory for voters to link voter ID and Aadhaar.