Aadhaar on Bihar Voter Forms Doesn’t Confirm Eligibility: Election Commission

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that the inclusion of Aadhaar information on voter registration forms in Bihar doesn’t automatically grant voting rights. This clarification came during a Supreme Court hearing. While the form requests Aadhaar details, it’s not the sole determinant of voter eligibility.

Aadhaar’s Role in Voter Registration

The ECI explained that Aadhaar is being collected to help prevent duplicate registrations and ensure the accuracy of the voter rolls. Linking Aadhaar with voter ID helps identify and eliminate potential duplicate entries, ensuring a cleaner, more reliable voter database. However, possessing an Aadhaar card is not a prerequisite for voting, and it doesn’t guarantee eligibility.

What Determines Voter Eligibility in Bihar?

Voter eligibility in Bihar, like the rest of India, is primarily determined by citizenship, age (18 years or older), and residence within the constituency. Other factors that may influence eligibility include legal disqualifications, such as criminal convictions. The ECI emphasized that meeting these established criteria remains paramount for voter registration and exercising the right to vote.