Lok Sabha passes bill to link Aadhaar with voter ID amid Opposition protest

Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to link electoral roll data with Aadhaar eco system amid protest by opposition members.

The Opposition claimed that it would be a violation of the Constitutional rights of citizens and would violate their right to privacy if Aadhaar is connected to the electoral rolls. The Opposition demanded the rollback of the Bill.

The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021, piloted by Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, was passed by a voice vote after a brief discussion during which some opposition members demanded that it be referred to a parliamentary panel.

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Rejecting the demand, Rijiju said various proposals which are part of the bill have already been suggested and recommended by the Standing Committee of Law and Personnel.

The minister further said that the bill will cleanse the election system by weeding out duplication and bogus voting.

Demanding the rollback of the bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari said that Aadhaar Act does not allow for Aadhaar to be linked to electoral rolls.

Pointing out that Aadhaar only meant to be proof of residence, and not citizenship, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the provision will "potentially giving the vote to non-citizens".