Congress Criticizes ECI for Ignoring Supreme Court Directive on Aadhaar

fast Summary:

• Congress accused the Election Commission (EC) of “brazen non-compliance” with the Supreme CourtS directive to accept Aadhaar as an identity proof in voter registration.
• The Supreme Court reiterated Aadhaar as a valid ID but clarified it is indeed not proof of citizenship. EC must verify its authenticity for inclusion in electoral rolls.
• Congress MP Jairam Ramesh alleged EC created repeated obstacles for legitimate voter registration by refusing block-level agents (BLAs), declining Aadhaar, and mandating specific documents only.
• SIR (Special Intensive Revision) of electoral rolls in Bihar caused disputes close to elections; Congress claimed it is poorly executed and politically motivated.
• A Supreme Court bench emphasized excluding illegal immigrants while ensuring genuine citizens are included using verified documents.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The controversy surrounding voter registration, particularly in Bihar’s SIR exercise, highlights challenges related to administrative processes and political credibility tied to elections in India. The Supreme Court’s decision reiterates its role as a balancing institution, advocating inclusion of Aadhaar while maintaining scrutiny against misuse or forged identities. However, allegations from opposition parties like Congress point toward dissatisfaction with how such exercises are conducted and interpreted by institutions like the Election Commission. Despite these tensions, India’s democratic framework continues relying on active judicial oversight to address concerns around fairness and transparency during pivotal election periods.

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