Amid protest by opposition, Lok Sabha passes Election Laws Bill to link Voter ID with Aadhar

Dec. 20: The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, has been passed in Lok Sabha through voice vote. The Bill introduced by Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, seeks to link Aadhaar with the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC). The Bill was opposed by the Congress, AIMIM, BSP and other opposition parties. Lok Sabha was later adjourned for the day amid continuous protest by opposition members.

The amendment would allow the Aadhaar number to be used for registration of voters “for the purpose of establishing the identification. The amendment also aims at introducing gender-neutral terms in the Representation of the People Act by replacing the word “wife” with “spouse.” The Union Cabinet had earlier cleared the bill on electoral reforms.

As per the Bill circulated to the Lok Sabha members ahead of its introduction Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 was amended to have four qualifying dates for registration of eligible voters in the electoral roll. Earlier January 1 of every year was the only qualifying date. As per the amendment now four qualifying dates will be there — January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.