In a renewed effort to seed Indian citizens' Voter-IDs with Aadhaar, the government has sent a letter to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). However, contrary to previous such efforts, the linking may not require amending the law this time. According to a report by the Indian Express, the law ministry has sent a letter to UIDAI, at the behest of the Election Commission of India (ECI), to begin the process for new voters under Rule 3 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation and Knowledge) Rules, 2020. Previously, ECI had proposed amending the Representation of the People Act, 1950 to allow the seeding. The decision was criticised by various privacy experts who expressed concerns that it could lead to voter profiling and disenfranchisement due to fraud in the Aadhaar database. What the Aadhaar authentication for good governance rules say According to rule 3, voluntary Aadhaar authentication can take place for the following purposes: For use of digital platforms for good governance To prevent dissipation of social welfare benefits To spread knowledge and enable innovation The process of approving such Aadhaar authentication The rules lay down that any central or state government ministry or department requiring Aadhaar authentication has to write a proposal with its justification to the Central government, who will then make a reference to the UIDAI. Following this, if the UIDAI is satisfied that the proposal is in accordance with its rules and the Aadhaar Act, it shall allow the authentication. Earlier attempts at linking…
