The opposition has said that links Aadhaar and voter ID could make it easier for more people who are not citizens to vote in the country.
The opposition also said that Parliament rushed through the bill without a real debate.
New Delhi: The controversial law that links Aadhaar to voter ID cards has been challenged in the Supreme Court. Randeep Singh Surjewala of the Congress party has asked that it be thrown out. In his petition, Mr. Surjewala said that the law was “illegal” and that it violated the right to privacy and equality. Tomorrow, the case will be heard by the highest court.
As part of the process of changing the way elections work, the Election Commission started the project to link Aadhaar to voter information.
The goal was to get rid of duplicate names on voter rolls and make sure they were correct.
The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill says that people who want to register to vote can be asked for their Aadhaar number “for the purpose of establishing identity.”
The government says it is meant to get rid of fake voters by making it harder for people to put their names on the voter rolls in more than one state.
The opposition has said that allowing the link between Aadhaar and voter ID could make it easier for more people who are not citizens to vote in the country.
The Congress has been protesting the bill, saying that it was rushed through Parliament during the Winter Session without enough time to talk about any problems it might have.
Within 24 hours, the law was passed by both houses.
In addition to the Congress, the new legislation has been opposed by MK Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, the Trinamool Congress, Shiv Senna, and the BSP.
During demonstrations against the bill, Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien is alleged to have thrown the rulebook at the Rajya Sabha Chair, leading to his suspension.
Congressman Shashi Tharoor had stated that Aadhaar was intended to serve as proof of habitation rather than citizenship. “If you ask a voter for an Aadhar card, all you get is a document that shows their address. You might be granting non-citizens the ability to vote, he had added.
Voter identity cards will only be seeded with Aadhaar on a voluntary basis in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the right to privacy. Kiren Rajju, the minister of law, has emphasized that connection will be optional.
Voter ID cards and Aadhaar will be linked, although it will be optional. The name of a citizen will not be removed from the electoral rolls even if he does not have an Aadhaar card. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Mr. Rajju said, “If you are above 18 and your name is on the voting list, then you are a voter.
