Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has clarified the role of Aadhaar cards in the voter enumeration process, stressing that, as per Supreme Court orders and the Aadhaar Act, an Aadhaar card cannot serve as proof of date of birth, residence, or citizenship.
Addressing concerns over Aadhaar usage in electoral rolls, Kumar explained that providing an Aadhaar number remains optional under both the Aadhaar Act and Section 26 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
He said, "According to the Supreme Court's orders and under the Aadhaar Act, Aadhaar cannot be considered proof of date of birth, proof of residence, or proof of citizenship. The Election Commission requested the Aadhaar card within the enumeration form itself. Providing your Aadhaar number is not mandatory under the Aadhaar Act, nor under Section 26 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. It is optional. It depends on the Aadhaar holder. Even under the Aadhaar Act, the Aadhaar card is neither proof of residence nor proof of citizenship."
Kumar further highlighted that while the Election Commission accepts Aadhaar numbers in voter forms, other documents may still be required to verify eligibility, in line with Supreme Court rulings.
He added, "If anyone got an Aadhaar card after 2023 or downloaded it after 2023, the Aadhaar card itself, under several orders of the Supreme Court, states that the Aadhaar card is not proof of date of birth. The Supreme Court did say, and we are following that order, that Aadhaar cards should be accepted. We were also accepting Aadhaar cards in the enumeration form and still are. However, the Supreme Court also stated in its order that the Aadhaar card will not be proof of citizenship. Other documents may be required for eligibility."
On the Bihar Assembly elections, CEC Kumar confirmed that polls will be held before November 22, 2025, when the current assembly’s term ends. Bihar has a total of 243 assembly constituencies, including two seats reserved for STs and 38 for SCs.
He stated, "Bihar has 243 Assembly constituencies - two for STs and 38 for SCs. The term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and elections will be held before that time. The Election Commission trained booth-level officers for the first time. SIR was launched on June 24, 2025, and completed by the deadline."
The Election Commission continues to ensure that the voter enumeration process is transparent and compliant with both the Supreme Court’s directives and existing laws, emphasizing the optional nature of Aadhaar while maintaining strict eligibility verification standards.
