What Clarifications Did ECI Officials Provide BLOs About AADHAR?
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Synopsis
The ECI team in West Bengal addressed BLO concerns regarding AADHAR's role in the voter revision process, following a Supreme Court mandate. With clear guidelines established, the integrity of the voter list remains intact, ensuring all valid voters are accommodated.
Key Takeaways
- ECI clarifies AADHAR's role as just an identity proof.
- Voters from the 2022 list remain valid automatically.
- Additional documents are required for those not on the list.
- No valid voter's name will be removed.
- BLOs are encouraged to raise concerns for clarity.
Kolkata, Oct 9 (NationPress) The Central team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) is currently conducting a two-day visit to West Bengal to assess the preparations for the special intensive revision (SIR) in the state. On Thursday, the team addressed concerns raised by booth-level officers (BLOs) about the role of AADHAR cards in the revision process, following a Supreme Court order mandating the inclusion of the AADHAR card as the 12th valid document for identity verification.
The clarifications were provided by the ECI team, headed by Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, during a meeting with district electoral officials from the three districts of East Midnapore, Bankura, and Jhargram at Kolaghat, located in East Midnapore district.
“In response to questions from the BLOs, the Deputy Election Commissioner explained that the AADHAR card will be regarded solely as an identity document, rather than as a proof of address or citizenship. Consequently, the ECI will not prioritize the AADHAR card specifically,” an insider from the office of the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) disclosed.
Subsequently, in interactions with the media, West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal reiterated the commission's position on AADHAR card treatment.
“Existing voters listed in the 2022 voters' list, which was last updated during the previous SIR in West Bengal, will automatically remain valid voters. Those missing from the 2022 list must present other documents as citizenship proof, as mandated by the ECI. However, providing only the AADHAR card will not suffice; additional documentation will be necessary,” Agarwal stated.
He emphasized that the commission is firmly committed to ensuring that no valid voter's name is removed from the voters' list.
“The BLOs raised various concerns, which we endeavored to clarify during today’s meeting. Compliance with the rules regarding AADHAR cards is essential. Voters with one additional ECI-mandated document besides an AADHAR card should encounter no issues,” Agarwal added.
Point of View
It is vital to convey the importance of clear communication from the ECI to ensure voter confidence. The ongoing efforts to clarify the role of AADHAR in the electoral process are commendable, highlighting the commission's commitment to transparency and inclusivity.
NationPress
10/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How will AADHAR be treated in the voter revision process?
AADHAR will be recognized solely as an identity document, not as proof of address or citizenship.
What must voters do if their names are not on the 2022 list?
Voters not listed must provide additional documents as citizenship proof, in addition to AADHAR.
Will valid voters be removed from the list?
No valid voter will be excluded from the voters' list under any circumstances.
What should BLOs do if they have concerns?
BLOs can seek clarifications during meetings with ECI officials to address their concerns.
Is AADHAR sufficient for voter registration?
No, AADHAR alone is not sufficient; additional ECI-mandated documents are required.
