Supreme Court Backs Use of Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card for Bihar Voter Re-verification

The Supreme Court weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Bihar’s voter re-verification process, stating that common government-issued IDs, including Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and Voter IDs issued by the Election Commission, should be considered valid documents.

Concerns Over “Arbitrary” Re-verification Process

This significant intervention comes in response to a hearing regarding the ‘special intensive revision’ of Bihar’s electoral roll. This exercise has drawn criticism for being perceived as “arbitrary” and “discriminatory,” requiring only voters registered after 2003 to re-verify their identities. Furthermore, the existing process doesn’t allow the use of common identification documents like Aadhaar, creating a barrier for many voters.

Impact on Upcoming Bihar Elections

The Supreme Court’s observation could have a considerable impact on the upcoming Bihar elections later this year. By broadening the acceptable forms of identification, the Court aims to ensure a more inclusive and less burdensome re-verification process for eligible voters.