Can foreigners with Aadhaar be made voters? SC's big question
What's the story
The Supreme Court has clarified that Aadhaar cannot be considered conclusive proof of citizenship. The clarification came during final hearings on petitions challenging the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several states. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasized that the Election Commission has the authority to verify entries in Form 6, used for voter registration.
Voter registration
SC questions Aadhaar's role in voter registration
During the hearing, the Supreme Court questioned the role of Aadhaar in voter registration, with Chief Justice Kant asking if someone granted Aadhaar for rations should automatically be allowed to vote. "Aadhaar is a creation of statute for availing benefits. Just because a person was granted Aadhaar for ration, should he be made a voter also? Suppose someone belongs to a neighboring country and works as a laborer; shall he be allowed to vote?" CJI Kant asked.
Court
Aadhaar card does not 'confer absolute proof of citizenship'
The bench made it clear that an Aadhaar card does not "confer absolute proof of citizenship." "That is why we said it will be one of the documents on the list of documents," it said. The court also rejected the idea that the Election Commission should accept all Form 6 submissions without scrutiny. "You are saying the Election Commission is a post office that must accept the Form 6 submitted and include your name?" the bench asked.
Legal proceedings
Court sets timelines for SIR challenges in 3 states
The SC has also set specific timelines for separate challenges to the SIR in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal. ECI must respond to petitions from Tamil Nadu by December 1, with rejoinders due by December 4. Kerala's pleas will be heard on December 2, with a reply from the poll panel due on December 1. West Bengal cases will be heard on December 9, after responses from the state government and State Election Commission are submitted by December 1.