Recent controversies over alleged malpractices in the electoral rolls have renewed demands for the mandatory linkage of Aadhaar with Voter ID. Give your opinion. Suggest measures to make the ranking system more objective, inclusive, and aligned with educational and societal outcomes.

Recently leaders of Opposition has framed serious charges of voter malpractices on EET which also renewed demand of Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage. Aadhaar Election Laws Amendment Act 2021 previously provided for linkage of Aadhaar with Voter ID which was subdued due to controversies. Arguments in favour: 1) Avoids duplication of identity and voter cards. 2) Easy availability of Aadhaar cards → 142 crore issued. 3) Ease for migrant workers to register.

Argument against: 1) In KS Puttaswamy Case, SC termed Right to Privacy under Art. 21 → Aadhaar linkage could infringe upon it. 2) Aadhaar to be used only for welfare schemes (SC order). 3) Potential of cyber crime and leakage of data → Jharkhand Aadhaar data loss 2017. 4) Exclusion errors in Aadhaar → 2-8% due to iris scanning. 5) Fake Aadhaar Cards generation. 6) Overlapping of roles between EET and UIDAI.

Thus, Aadhaar linkage should be kept voluntary to preserve privacy of individuals. At the same time, Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls by EET as in Biher could ensure non-duplication of voter IDs.

— MADHVENDRA PRATAP SINGH · AIR 153