‘Blatantly absurd’: ADR on EC not including Aadhaar as proof for Bihar voter roll revision

The Association for Democratic Reforms on Saturday described the Election Commission’s decision not to Aadhaar card a standalone valid document for the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar as “blatantly absurd”, reported The Hindu.

The non-profit organisation is one of the petitioners against the exercise. The statement was part of a rejoined filed in the Supreme Court in response to the poll panel’s affidavit in the matter.

On Monday, the Election Commission said that the Aadhaar does not “constitute proof of Indian citizenship” and could be easily forged.

The affidavit had come in response to the Supreme Court’s July 10 order that asked the Election Commission to consider Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards and ration cards as valid proof for the electoral roll revision exercise “in the interest of justice”.

On Saturday, the Association for Democratic Reforms told the Supreme Court that any of the 11 documents that the poll panel has stated could be used to prove eligibility “are equally susceptible to being procured on the basis of fake or false documentation”, reported The Hindu.

“The fact that Aadhar card is one of the documents accepted for obtaining Permanent Residence Certificate, other backward castes, scheduled castes or scheduled tribes certificate and for passport – makes ECI’s rejection of Aadhar (which is most widely held document) under the...

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