The NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has strongly criticised the Election Commission’s decision to exclude Aadhaar and ration cards from the list of acceptable documents in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, calling the move “patently absurd” and lacking any valid justification.
In a rejoinder filed before the Supreme Court, ADR highlighted that Aadhaar cards are routinely accepted for issuing crucial documents such as Permanent Residence Certificates, caste certificates, and even passports. “The ECI’s rejection of Aadhaar—which is the most widely held document in the country—is patently absurd,” the NGO asserted.
The petitioner argued that the Election Commission has failed to provide any reasonable explanation for excluding Aadhaar and ration cards from the list of identity proofs required in the SIR process. This, according to ADR, could lead to the arbitrary disenfranchisement of a large section of the population, particularly in Bihar, which is preparing for state elections later this year.
The NGO expressed concern that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are being given wide and unchecked discretionary powers under the June 24, 2025, SIR order. Such authority, it claimed, could compromise the integrity of the electoral process and result in mass exclusions from the voter list.
“If not set aside, this order can arbitrarily and without due process disenfranchise lakhs of citizens from electing their representatives, thereby disrupting free and fair elections and democracy in the country, which are part of the basic structure of the Constitution,” ADR stated in its submission.
The Election Commission, defending the SIR, said it aims to enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls by removing ineligible voters. However, the top court, hearing multiple challenges to the SIR, had on July 10 asked the EC to reconsider and include Aadhaar, Voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents during the ongoing revision exercise.
