• Source:JND
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Bihar SIR: The Supreme Court on Monday reportedly directed the Election Commission to treat Aadhaar Card as a document which can be considered as a proof of identity for the inclusion in the voter list in Bihar. While the top court asserted that Aadhaar card is not a proof of citizenship, it asked the poll body to consider the document for the people excluded from the list. However, the court pointed out that the EC officials will be entitled to verify the document provided by the applicants.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi pointed out that while Aadhaar card is not the proof of citizenship, it can be used as to establish the identity of any individual as per Section 23(4) of the Representation of People's Act, reported Live Law.

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Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), stated that the Booth Level Officers were denying to accept the Aadhaar Card even after the top court had asked earlier to consider it as another document required for inclusion in the voter list. He further stated that the affidavits of multiple voters, whose documents were not accepted, have already been filed.

"Aadhaar card is the universally available document with the population. If they cannot accept that, what kind of inclusion excercise are they carrying out. They want to exclude the poor," Sibal stated, reported Live Law. Earlier on September 1, the apex court had also refused to extend the deadline of the revision process by pointing out that the poll body had agreed to accept the complaints even after September 1.

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"As regards extension of time, note says that filing of claims/objections or corrections is not barred after 1 Sept. It is stated that the claims/objections/corrections can be submitted even after the deadline ie after 1 Sept and same will be considered after roll has been finalized," the court stated.