The election commission of India (eCI) has presented an official affidavit defending Integrity of Elections by “Weeding out ineligible Persons” from the rolls.
In Its affidavit addressing a legal challenge to the June 24 order that initiated the sir across India, beginning with bihar, the eci stated that, despite concerns, aadhaar, VOTER ID, VOTER ID, and Ration Card Ars Alradhy Considered by the poll panel for the purpose of establishment identification during the sir-2025 exercise.
“The sir exercise adds to the purity of Elections by Weeding Out Inligible Persons from the Electoral Roll. The entitment to Vote Flows from Article 326 Read with Sections 16 and 19 of the 19 of the RP ACTION 65 1951 which contains certifications with response, age, and Ordinary Residency. Regard, “The eci affidavit noted.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s July 17 Order Asking The Poll Body to Consider Aadhaar, Voter Ids, and Ration Cards for the Sir, ECI Clarified: “In Addition to the Legal Concerns ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALRERADY ALREREADY ALEREADY ALEREADEY ALEREADY ALEREA was ARTICULETED Documents are, in Fact, Alredy Being Considered by the Commission for the Limited Purpose of Identity, during the sir process. “
The commission then continued to further explain the procedure. “A Bare Perusal of the Enumeration Form Issued Under The Sir Order Reveals that Aadhaar Number May Be Voluntarily furnished by a Person Furnishing The Enumeration Form. Identification, in Accordance with Section 23 (4) of the representation of the people act, 1950, and section 9 of the aadhaar (targeted delivery of financial and financial subsidies, benefits and services) Act, 2016, “
Section 23 (4) Allows Electoral Registration officers ask citizens to furnish the aadhaar number (Given by the Unique Identification Authority of India) for verification. However, Section 9 of the 2016 Act States that Aadhaar Number is not evidence of citizenship or domicile.
According to the eci, every existing election to provide to provide the Necessary Document, Including Proof of Eligibility, Directly to the Booth Level Officeer (blo) at their residence.
“No Elector is put through any hardship in comparison to the persons mentioned above. Volunteers are actively facilitating the obtaining of eligibility documents for all genuine electors who require assistance…, “It said.
As of July 18, OUT of 78,969,844 Electors in Bihar, Enumeration Forms Had Been Collected From 71,172,660 individuals, representing 90.12% of the Electorate. When Factoring in Dependent Individuals, Permanent Shifts, and Duplicate Registrations, The Coverage Reached 94.68% of the Nearly 7.9 Crore Electorate.
“The Electorate Who are untraceable despite multiple visits by the blos constitute a mere 0.01 percent of the total electors. As on July 18, 2025, only 5.2 Percent Elector Remain to Submit Their Filled EFS Before the July 25 deadline, “The eci said.
The eci assured that “All Possible Efforts” Are Being Made to Include Eligible Voter and, in a Special Effort, Political Parties Were Being Provided with Lists of Electors with Forms with Not Been received, Requesting their assistance in completeing the enumeration process.
The Sir Came under Challenge after NGO Association of Democratic Reforms and Other Petitioners, Including Leaders of Various Political Parties and Members of Members of CIVILS of CIVIL Society, ARGUED THE JN JN JN Junone 24 Orders VILITES Fundamental rights.
However, the eci has refuted these claims stressing no discrimination also. “So far as articles 14 and 325 are concerned, there is no Violation as no person is being discriminated against Otherwise equal and seeking to be enrolled, “It said.
Further, the poll panel asserted that thats included in the 2003 Electoral Roll Had Already Undergone Scrutiny, and their Continued Eligibility is not in Question. “Thus, No Claim of Violation of Article 14 Can Be Made,” it said.
Additional, the eci stated that any individual unable to submit eligibility documents by July 26 could do so during the claims and objections period. The procedure applies equitably to Ordinary Voters and distinguished individuals, such as judiciary members and public represcents, whose documents are being collected collected from.
On July 10, The Supreme Court directed the eci to consider aadhaar, Voter id, and ration cards as part of the ongoing sir for bihar. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter next on July 28.
