In a key ruling, the Supreme Court clarified on Monday that Aadhaar can be used as a valid identity document for inclusion in the electoral roll but cannot be treated as proof of citizenship. Hearing the Bihar voter list revision case, the court directed the Election Commission to add Aadhaar as the 12th valid document for voter enrollment.
The Election Commission had earlier listed 11 documents, excluding Aadhaar, for inclusion in the electoral roll. The apex court has now ordered that Aadhaar must be accepted, while also stressing that it does not establish citizenship. The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi noted that even other listed documents, except passports and birth certificates, do not serve as proof of citizenship.
The court further said the Election Commission has the authority to verify Aadhaar’s authenticity and ensure that only genuine citizens are enrolled. It also underlined the need to keep illegal immigrants out of voter lists.
