The Election Commission of India (EC) has clarified that documents like Aadhaar cards, voter ID (EPIC), and ration cards will not be accepted as valid proof of citizenship for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in Bihar. The clarification comes in response to a suggestion by the Supreme Court that these widely held identity documents could be considered for inclusion, pending justification by the EC.

On July 10, the Supreme Court permitted the EC to continue the SIR process while advising it to consider allowing Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as acceptable documents to verify the eligibility of voters. The apex court asked the EC to either include them or submit reasons for their exclusion before the next hearing scheduled for July 28.

In its affidavit submitted on July 21, the EC defended its decision, stating that none of these documents are sufficient to establish citizenship. The poll body argued that Aadhaar only confirms identity and residence, not nationality, and is prone to misuse. Ration cards, it stated, are easily forged and not subject to robust verification. Similarly, existing voter ID cards, while issued by the EC itself, reflect only current voter registration and not underlying citizenship status.

The EC emphasized that maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll requires strict adherence to citizenship verification. It reiterated that the 11 documents currently listed for the SIR process are indicative, not exhaustive, but all must reliably prove Indian citizenship. These include passports, government service certificates, and birth certificates, among others.

Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have criticized the EC’s stance, arguing that it goes against the spirit of the Supreme Court’s direction. They claim the refusal to accept commonly held documents like Aadhaar and EPIC may disenfranchise a significant number of eligible voters, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

Civil society groups and legal experts have welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention, calling it a vital safeguard for voter inclusion. They stress that in a country where documentation varies widely, flexibility is necessary to ensure democratic participation.

With the final date for submission of voter claims under the SIR set for July 25, the Supreme Court is expected to review the EC’s reasoning in its July 28 hearing. The outcome could set a precedent for electoral verification procedures across India, potentially impacting millions of voters ahead of upcoming elections.

The EC’s firm position reflects its constitutional duty to ensure the purity of the electoral rolls but also raises concerns about accessibility and fairness in the verification process. The Supreme Court’s final decision will likely shape how voter documentation is handled in future revision exercises.