Just after a day, the linking of voter ID and Aadhaar cards was pushed in the Lok Sabha under the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, on Tuesday, the Opposition raised objections against it.
The opposition stated that linking the Aadhaar card and Voter ID cards are an invasion of fundamental rights of privacy. This objection came after harsh scenes at the Lok Sabha that led to the suspension of TMC member Derek O’Brien for the remainder of the winter session after he allegedly threw a rule book.
In March 2020, when the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice asked the government to undertake ‘appropriate actions’ for voter ID and Aadhaar card linking, the Opposition didn’t object.
The Ministry of Law and Justice said that with the Aadhaar card and Voter ID linking, multiple entries of voters can also be avoided. They said this back in March 2020 when the suggestion was in its initial stages. The ministry also said that it will purify the electoral roll that is in the larger interest of democratic polity.
BJP’s Bhupender Yadav had led the standing committee in March 2020, Around 25 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs had attended the meeting that includes, Vivek Tankha (Congress), Majeed Memon (NCP), P Wilson (DMK).
Vivek Tankha of Congress said that he doesn’t recollect that he was a part of that meeting in 2020; he also added an example that can be a hindrance for common people.
For example, your voter ID has your name in the electoral roll in your hometown say Delhi, and you live in Mumbai, then how will the lists tally?
Majeed Memon of NCP said that this linking of the Aadhaar and Voter ID discussion at the standing committee happened for only one election – Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha. He stated that the issue was discussed for months but didn’t vote for it.
For more breaking news, click here.