Representative image

New Delhi: Soon, you may have to link your Aadhaar number with your voter ID as the Election Commission of India (ECI) is preparing to pitch for the mandatory, legally backed linkage, while ensuring privacy protection, the Economic Times reported citing people having knowledge of the matter.

According to the business daily, aiming at improving the accuracy of the electoral rolls, the ECI will propose amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, making it mandatory for citizens to link their voter ID card with the Aadhaar number issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The commission will be sending its suggestions to the law ministry shortly, sources cited above told the publication.

It may be noted that the Supreme Court in its September 26 verdict restricted Aadhaar linkage to services having legal backing only. Following this the ECI had sought the advice of UIDAI, on the applicability of the court order to the commission’s plan to resume linking on a voluntary basis, the ET report said. At that time the Aadhaar issuing authority suggested an interim measure to allow linkage in a limited fashion but said full-fledged linkage needs legal backing, the ET report said.

ECI, having considered the UIDAI advice, decided to seek a permanent solution as it considers voter ID linkage with Aadhaar the best tool for weeding out duplication and misrepresentation in electoral rolls.

It may be noted that political parties have been vociferous with their concerns about the accuracy of voter lists in poll-bound states. The Election Commission feels that Aadhaar linkage will comprehensively address such complaints and establish greater credibility for electoral rolls, the report said.