RJD MP Moves Supreme Court Over Bihar Voter List Revision, Questions Aadhaar Rejection

RJD MP Moves Supreme Court Over Bihar Electoral Roll Revision, Questions Rejection of Aadhaar by ECI

New Delhi, July 5, 2025 — In a major political and legal move, a Member of Parliament from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has approached the Supreme Court of India, challenging the ongoing revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The MP has raised serious concerns over the alleged exclusion of genuine voters and has questioned why the Election Commission of India (ECI) refuses to accept the Aadhaar card as valid proof for voter verification during the summary revision process.

According to the petition filed before the apex court, the RJD MP contends that several individuals — particularly from marginalized and minority communities — have either been removed from the electoral rolls or flagged for further verification, despite submitting Aadhaar credentials. The plea argues that Aadhaar, which is widely accepted for banking, welfare schemes, income tax, and mobile verification, should logically be accepted as proof for voter identity. The petitioner further questioned the rationale behind the ECI’s decision, highlighting the inconsistency in documentation standards across different government agencies.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter next week. The petition demands that the electoral roll revision be paused immediately until transparent guidelines are implemented and seeks a direction to the ECI to accept Aadhaar as a valid document for voter identification. Additionally, the MP has urged the court to appoint an independent observer to oversee the process in Bihar to ensure that no eligible citizen is wrongfully excluded from exercising their democratic right.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has reiterated its earlier stance that Aadhaar can only be linked to the voter ID on a voluntary basis, and it does not serve as definitive proof of citizenship — a key criterion for electoral eligibility. The Commission maintains that other documents like passports, utility bills, and ration cards are more suitable for electoral verification to prevent duplication and ensure accuracy.

The issue has taken a political turn in Bihar, with the RJD alleging targeted disenfranchisement in constituencies where the party enjoys significant support. The ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance, however, has dismissed these claims, calling the move a pre-election gimmick. As Bihar gears up for its Assembly elections later this year, the outcome of this legal challenge could significantly impact voter participation and trust in the electoral process.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the matter is expected to set a crucial precedent regarding the use of Aadhaar in the voter identification process, not just in Bihar, but across the country.