New Delhi: In an effort to build an authentic database and eliminate bogus voters and multiple voter cards, the election commission would start a drive to link Aadhar numbers with electoral rolls from March 1.As per the ECI's current data, India has 84 crore voters
Talking to reporters on Saturday Chief Election Commissioner HS Brahma said that ‘Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Drive' (ERPAD) across all the 676 districts is proposed to be completed by August 15 this year.
“We are planning to combine the data of both the cards of every individual voter in the country. Multiple cards in the name of same person and voter ID cards with fake information will be eliminated after gathering the data,” the CEC said
Under the new scheme, every voter will be able to update their Aadhaar Card numbers in the web portal of ECI. Voters having access to internet can update their data on the portal after its launch on March 1st.
The portal will also provide options to rectify errors in details like address, spelling of the name and date of birth of the voters.
.Though it is not mandatory, people can still cast their vote without updating the Aadhar Data . For NRIs, the ECI has provided an option to use the data in the passport or driving license instead of Aadhar card
Brahma further said, voters in Naxalite-affected areas and from remote areas of northeast states will be given additional time for updating their details. Those who are yet to get their Aadhar cards can still apply for it and finish the process before the deadline, he added.
The CEC, who was visiting Hyderabad for the first time after assuming charge, said the proposal to increase the number of Assembly seats in Telangana needs constitutional amendments and the issue is now in the hands of Union government.
On the issue of Online Voting, Brahma said, “To introduce online voting, a constitutional amendment is needed and the commission is seeking response from all the political parties on the proposal.”
