Context:
• Serious allegations of duplicate / fake / ghost voters across States.
• Non-unique EPIC numbers → fundamental database integrity violation.
• Bihar-style Special Intensive Revision (SIR) model criticised as malicious / rushed.
• Debate on Aadhaar-linked de-duplication + need for ECI transparency & opposition participation.
Key Highlights:
- Database Integrity Concerns
• Unlike Vehicle Registration Numbers (~40 cr) & Driver Licence Numbers (~20 cr) → EPIC numbers not unique across States.
• This violates elementary principle of unique primary key in databases. - Vulnerability of Voter Detail Manipulation (Form-8 flaw)
• Any person could change registered mobile number of voter.
• Using OTP → could request deletion of genuine voter.
• Exposed in Aland – Karnataka (attempt to delete ~6,000 voters).
• ECI quietly changed flow to use Aadhaar-linked mobile after exposé. - Bihar-Style SIR Critique
• SIR was rushed, biased towards deletion, framed around “illegal migrant” narrative.
• Not suitable for nationwide replication. - Case for Aadhaar-linked De-duplication
• Aadhaar ≠ citizenship proof — but every resident voter must have Aadhaar to ensure one human → one voter id.
• Cheapest + most efficient approach for identity de-duplication. - Proposed Reforms
• House-to-house enrolment — not self-form submission.
• Opposition must be part of SIR at every level (State → District → Booth).
• Meetings must be video-recorded & minutes published.
• Publish machine-readable final roll after SIR.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• EPIC → Designed to be unique but currently non-unique across States.
• Form-8 enables correction / deletion requests.
• SIR = Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls under ECI.
• Aadhaar can be used for de-duplication but not for citizenship proof.
• Database uniqueness principle = Primary Key uniqueness.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Electoral roll purity = core to free & fair elections (GS2).
• ECI credibility is part of constitutional trust architecture (Art.324).
• Electoral fraud → threatens democratic legitimacy.
• Aadhaar linkage must have legal safeguards to avoid exclusion.
• Way Forward:
– statutory timeline for SIR
– open-data final roll publication
– cryptographic audit trails for edits
– tamper-proof version control
– civil society + opposition oversight committees
Possible Prelims Question (with answer):
Q. Which of the following correctly states the status of Aadhaar in electoral roll management?
A. Aadhaar cannot prove citizenship, but can be used for identity de-duplication of voters.