SC asks EC to allow Aadhaar as 12th voter ID proof

The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider Aadhaar as the 12th document that can be used as proof of identity during voting. This move has started a new debate on whether Aadhaar should be formally added to the list of recognised ID proofs that help voters confirm who they are before casting their ballot.

At present, the ECI accepts 11 different identity documents for voters who do not have a voter ID card. These include passports, driving licences, service ID cards, and ration cards among others. The court's latest suggestion is that Aadhaar could become an addition to these documents, making it easier for citizens to vote.

Voting is one of the most important rights in a democracy because it gives people the power to choose their leaders. But to vote, one must prove their identity so that only genuine voters take part in the election. Adding Aadhaar as a recognised ID may reduce difficulties for those who do not have other documents but do have an Aadhaar card, which has become more common in India. According to government data, over 1.3 billion Aadhaar cards have already been issued. This makes it one of the most widely used identity proofs in the country.

This is not the first time Aadhaar has come into the election debate. A few years ago, there were discussions about linking Aadhaar with voter ID cards to eliminate duplicate and fake voters. However, those moves faced criticism from privacy experts, activists, and even political parties. The main concern was that compulsory linkage might expose voter information to misuse. The Supreme Court too had said that Aadhaar should not be made mandatory in places where privacy risks were high.

Now, the court is not asking for Aadhaar and voter IDs to be linked. Instead, it is only suggesting that Aadhaar be recognised as one more document, like a driving licence or ration card, to prove identity if a voter does not have other papers. This is a more limited use and could reduce confusion for voters.

Opinions on this proposal are divided.

Some voters, especially in rural areas, believe Aadhaar can be a convenient option since they often carry it for government schemes and cash transfers. For them, it would simplify the process at polling booths.
Others worry about Aadhaar’s past controversies. They fear that once Aadhaar becomes accepted in the election process, it may open the door to compulsory linking of voter roll data in the future.
Election experts point out that Aadhaar details depend heavily on biometrics like fingerprints and iris scans, which are not error-free. Many elderly and manual labourers often face problems with Aadhaar authentication. Hence, depending only on it may create difficulties.

In many countries, voter identification documents vary widely. Some nations require a simple driving licence; others provide special electoral IDs. India’s case is unique as it already recognises multiple documents. Adding Aadhaar to this list is seen by many analysts as not very radical but rather a practical inclusion, considering almost every citizen already holds it.

The ball is now in the Election Commission’s court. The commission will study the Supreme Court’s suggestion, look at the benefits and risks, and then take a decision. It may also invite feedback from political parties and civil society before finalising any rules. Until then, Aadhaar remains outside the list of accepted ID proofs for voting.

The issue of accepting Aadhaar as an ID proof in elections is less about legality and more about trust. While Aadhaar provides a convenient identity document for millions, voters and experts alike want clarity on how their data will be protected if it enters election records. For now, the Supreme Court’s suggestion has opened a fresh conversation: how can India balance voter convenience with voter privacy?

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies