Election Commission Discusses EPIC-Aadhaar Linking, Prioritizes Constitutional Adherence

The Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, convened an important meeting with senior officials and technical experts on Tuesday to discuss the process of linking Voter IDs (EPIC) with Aadhaar. The meeting included Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, as well as officials from the Union Home Ministry, the Legislative Department, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), the CEO of UIDAI, and ECI technical experts.

The Commission emphasized that the linking process would fully comply with Article 326 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. In line with a Supreme Court ruling, the ECI clarified that Aadhaar would be used solely as proof of identity, not citizenship. Technical consultations between UIDAI and ECI experts will begin soon to discuss the matter further.

The Commission reiterated, “As per Article 326 of the Constitution, voting rights are granted only to Indian citizens, and the Aadhaar card solely establishes an individual’s identity.” It was decided that the EPIC-Aadhaar linking would adhere strictly to the Constitutional provisions and relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling in WP (Civil) No. 177/2023.

In other developments, within less than a month of taking office, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has taken proactive steps to address long-standing electoral challenges, some of which have persisted for decades. These initiatives aim to improve transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency ahead of the upcoming elections.

The ECI is planning to conduct All Party Meetings at various levels, including Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), District Election Officers (DEOs), and Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), before March 31, 2025. These meetings will facilitate direct engagement with political parties to address concerns and gather suggestions at the grassroots level.

In an unprecedented move, the ECI has invited suggestions from all National and State-recognized political parties within the legal framework by April 30, 2025. This initiative demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to making the electoral process more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the input of all stakeholders.