Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday justified the Election Commission's decision not to accept the Aadhaar for special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Kumar said while they are complying with the Supreme Court's directions, Aadhaar is not considered as proof of citizenship.
Addressing presspersons on arrangements for Bihar polls, CEC Kumar said Aadhaar card details were sought as part of the enumeration forms for Bihar SIR. However, it was optional, he added.
"According to the Supreme Court's orders and under the Aadhaar Act, Aadhaar cannot be considered proof of date of birth, proof of residence, or proof of citizenship. The Election Commission requested the Aadhaar card within the enumeration form itself. Providing your Aadhaar number is not mandatory under the Aadhaar Act, nor under Section 26 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950," the CEC said.
"If anyone got Aadhaar card after 2023 or downloaded it after 2023, the Aadhaar card itself, under several orders of the Supreme Court, states that the Aadhaar card is not proof of date of birth. The Supreme Court did say, and we are following that order, that Aadhaar cards should be accepted. We were also accepting Aadhaar cards in the enumeration form and still are...," Kumar said.
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Saying Aadhaar cannot be treated as proof of citizenship, Kumar said other documents may be required for eligibility.
The poll body chief held discussions with political parties regarding conducting the Bihar assembly polls on Sunday. Kumar said the entire election process will be completed by November 22, when the term of the 17th Bihar Assembly ends.
Kumar said most political parties were in favour of the polls being held "immediately after Chhath", the most popular festival of Bihar, which falls later this month. The EC stated that the Bihar elections will be completed "in as few phases as possible". |
