What Instructions Did ECI Issue to Bihar CEO Regarding SC’s New Aadhaar Directive?
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Synopsis
New directives from the ECI following a Supreme Court mandate now recognize the Aadhaar Card as a critical document for voter identity verification in Bihar. This change aims to streamline the electoral roll revision process, ensuring compliance across all electoral authorities.
Key Takeaways
- The Aadhaar Card is now the 12th document for voter verification in Bihar.
- It serves as proof of identity, not citizenship.
- ECI has mandated strict compliance from all electoral authorities.
- Verification of Aadhaar authenticity is still required.
- Non-compliance will be taken seriously by the ECI.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (NationPress) Following the Supreme Court's recent adjustments concerning the utilization of Aadhaar as a means of verification in the Bihar electoral roll revision process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday provided directives to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar regarding the updated framework.
The ECI instructed the CEO, “The Aadhaar Card will be recognized as the 12th document, supplementing the 11 documents outlined in Annexure C and Annexure D of the SIR order dated June 24.”
Additionally, the ECI clarified, “The Aadhaar Card is to be regarded solely as proof of identity and not as evidence of citizenship, as stipulated in Section 9 of the Aadhaar (Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2026.”
On Monday, the Supreme Court mandated the ECI to accept the Aadhaar card as the 12th document for conducting the voter verification initiative in Bihar, emphasizing its role as a document for identity verification.
As part of its instructions to the CEO on Tuesday, the ECI remarked, “Under Section 23(4) of the Representation of People Act, 1950, the Aadhaar Card is already included among the documents permitted for establishing an individual’s identity.”
The Commission urged the CEO to inform all District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) about these new guidelines for strict adherence.
The ECI warned, “Any incidents of non-compliance or refusal to accept the Aadhaar in line with this directive will be taken very seriously.”
During the hearing of a petition by the Association for Democratic against the ECI on Monday, the apex court stated, “We direct the Election Commission of India and its officials to recognize the Aadhaar Card as proof of identity for the inclusion or exclusion in Bihar’s revised voter list.”
For this purpose, the Aadhaar Card shall be acknowledged as the 12th document by the Authorities, who are also permitted to verify its authenticity by requesting additional proof or documents.
“The Election Commission must issue instructions regarding this by Tuesday,” concluded the apex court.
Point of View
The recent instructions issued by the ECI in response to the Supreme Court's mandate demonstrate a commitment to enhancing electoral transparency and efficiency. By recognizing the Aadhaar Card as a valid proof of identity, the ECI is aligning itself with modern verification practices, which will ultimately benefit the democratic process in Bihar.
NationPress
09/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Supreme Court's directive regarding Aadhaar?
The Supreme Court's directive allows the Aadhaar Card to be accepted as a crucial document for voter verification, thereby streamlining the process of electoral roll revision in Bihar.
How many documents are now recognized for voter identity verification in Bihar?
With the inclusion of the Aadhaar Card, there are now 12 recognized documents for voter identity verification in Bihar.
What should authorities do if they encounter non-compliance with the Aadhaar directive?
The ECI has emphasized that any non-compliance or refusal to accept the Aadhaar Card will be treated seriously and must be reported.
