Voter IDs Linked with Aadhaar : Election Commission

The Election Commission allows Aadhaar submission for identity, voluntary from Aug 1, 2022. No mandatory linking yet. Consent required, no deletion provision. Data security ensured under Article 324

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1341
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 09TH FEBRUARY, 2024

LINKING OF VOTER I CARDS

SHRI ANTO ANTONY
SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.
SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.
SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA
KUMARI AGATHA K. SANGMA
DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Voter IDs that have been linked with the Aadhaar Card since the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 came into force;

(b) whether linking is being done voluntarily, if so, the manner in which the consent is being taken;

(c) whether Aadhaar details will be deleted if a voter takes back consent, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the names of the voters whose Voter IDs have not been linked with Aadhaar have been struck off from the voter list, if so, the number of voters whose names have been so deleted and the deadline for the same; and

(e) whether the Government has taken measures to protect the voter database from being misused, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE;
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a): The Election Commission of India has informed that the Representation of the People Act, 1950 as amended by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, allows Electoral Registration Officers to require the existing or prospective elector to provide the Aadhaar number for the purpose of establishing identity on a voluntary basis. The Election Commission vide its instruction dated 4th July, 2022, has launched the programme to collect the Aadhaar number of existing and prospective electors on a voluntary basis from 1st August, 2022 in all States and Union territories. The linking of Aadhaar with Election Photo Identity Card has not yet started.

(b) and (c): The Election Commission has informed that it is voluntary to submit Aadhaar number with Voter ID and consent is obtained from the electors for Aadhaar in Form 6B. Currently, there is no provision regarding deletion of Aadhaar details if a voter takes back his consent.

(d): No sir.

(e): Under article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission is responsible for superintendence, direction and control of preparation of electoral roll and maintains data with multi-layered security, architecture. The electoral data is encrypted in both static and transit.

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