The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to hold discussions with the Union Home Ministry, Law Ministry, and UIDAI to address concerns regarding the linking of Aadhaar with Voter ID (EPIC).
This move follows irregularities in electoral rolls flagged by the Opposition, raising questions about the integrity of voter databases.
Key Takeaways from the Article
1. What is the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)?
- Purpose: Issued to all registered voters as an identification document, but does not grant voting rights unless the name appears in the electoral roll.
- Introduction: Launched in 1993 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Structure of EPIC Number:
✅ 10-digit alphanumeric code (3 alphabetic + 7 numeric characters).
✅ Links voter details like photo, constituency, and polling station.
✅ Prevents impersonation and electoral fraud.
Issues with EPIC Numbers:
✅ Duplicate numbers due to manual data entry before ERONET (Electoral Roll Management System).
✅ ECI acknowledged errors and pledged to fix them in ERONET 2.0.
2. Background of Aadhaar-Voter ID Linking
- 2015 Supreme Court Ruling:
✅ SC halted mandatory Aadhaar-Voter ID linking, stating Aadhaar was not required for government benefits. - 2021 Amendment to the Representation of People Act (1951):
✅ Allowed Aadhaar-EPIC linking on a voluntary basis. - 2022 Aadhaar Collection Begins:
✅ ECI began collecting Aadhaar details voluntarily, but did not use them for electoral roll revisions.
3. Purpose of Aadhaar-Voter ID Linking
- ✅ Eliminating Duplicate Voter Registrations
- Helps detect multiple registrations under different constituencies.
✅ Ensuring Electoral Roll Integrity - Prevents voter fraud, impersonation, and bogus voting.
4. Opposition’s Concerns and EC’s Response
🔴 Allegations of Electoral Roll Manipulation
- Trinamool Congress (TMC): Claims identical EPIC numbers exist in multiple states.
- Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha: Raised concerns about electoral roll discrepancies in Parliament
🟢 Election Commission’s Response
- Acknowledged errors in EPIC numbering.
- Assured that duplicate EPICs will be corrected within three months.
- Clarified that identical EPIC numbers do not automatically mean fake voters.
5. Government and Election Commission Stand
- 🟢 Aadhaar-EPIC Linking is Voluntary
- Law Ministry (2024): Aadhaar submission remains optional.
- Form 6B (Aadhaar Collection Form): Voters can either:
✅ Submit Aadhaar OR
✅ Declare non-availability of Aadhaar.
Current Data Collection
- India’s registered voters (2025): 99 crore.
- Aadhaar numbers collected: 66.23 crore (as per SC guidelines).
- 🔄 Upcoming De-Duplication Process
- ECI to update software to identify and replace duplicate EPIC numbers.
- New EPIC cards will be issued in non-election states first.
6. Conclusion
The Election Commission’s meeting aims to resolve concerns over Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage and
electoral integrity.
While the Opposition views it as a delayed response, the ECI argues that the process will enhance
credibility and prevent fraud.
The final decision on Aadhaar-EPIC linking could significantly impact future elections and electoral
reforms.