Aadhaar-Voter List Linkage: The Election Commission has warned of “strict” disciplinary action against voter registration officials in the event of any information being leaked from a form filled out by voters to share their Aadhaar data. The warning comes days after the Election Commission issued rules allowing Aadhaar to be linked to voter lists to eliminate double entries. The commission also stressed that the distribution of Aadhaar data by voters is ‘voluntary’.
Voters will be able to voluntarily give their Aadhaar number
In a letter sent to the Chief Electoral Officers of all the States and Union Territories on July 4, the Election Commission said that during the reforms, special camps may be organized at the cluster level on dates matching the dates of special campaigns. Where voters will be persuaded to voluntarily give their Aadhaar number in Form-6B in hard copy.
Whose name is included in the voter list
According to the notification of the Ministry of Law, through the recently introduced Form-6B, voters can share their Aadhaar number with the returning officers. The notification states that using the powers conferred by sub-section (5) of section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Central Government shall notify April 1, 2023 or earlier. The person whose name is included in the voter list can share his Aadhaar number as per the above section.
Aadhaar card transfer can be done voluntarily
A senior official recently said that the word ‘could’ was used in the notification and not ‘will’, the decision to share details becomes voluntary. The letter said that the distribution of Aadhaar number is ‘completely voluntary’ and the Voter Registration Officer (ERO) will make it clear to the voters that the purpose of asking for Aadhaar number is to certify their entries in the voter list and provide them better facilities in future.