Law Minister Clarifies: No ‘Suspicious Voters’ Category in Rajya Sabha

Speedy Summary

• union Law Minister Arjun ram Meghwal stated in the Rajya Sabha that there is no legal category called “suspicious voters” under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• The statement was made during a discussion related to Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
• Key reasons provided for revising electoral rolls include rapid urbanization, migration, new voter eligibility among youth, non-reporting of deaths, and inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants.
• Regarding Electronic voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission clarified that election results cannot be manipulated using EVM technology.
• On aadhaar linkage with voter IDs:

– Electoral Registration Officers may request Aadhaar numbers from electors voluntarily under an amendment to the representation of the People Act in 2021.
– Voluntary collection began on August 1,2022; linking Aadhaar with Voter ID has not formally started yet.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the clarification from Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal about “suspicious voters” underscores efforts to maintain openness and eliminate ambiguities surrounding India’s electoral processes. Bihar’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision highlights challenges such as migration and urbanization impacting voter list accuracy-notably pointing out systemic issues rather than specific categories like “suspicious voters.”

The voluntary nature of Aadhaar’s linkage with voter IDs aims to protect individual rights while improving identity verification mechanisms for elections. Though, formal implementation delays suggest logistical hurdles still need resolution. The assertion regarding EVM security reiterates longstanding claims about their reliability but may not fully address public concerns over election integrity.

These developments collectively spotlight India’s evolving methods to maintain fairness in its robust democratic framework while balancing technological advancements with legal safeguards.Read More: Source