‘It is a constitutional right to check citizenship before voter registration…’, the Election Commission replied in a new affidavit filed in the Supreme Court.

The Election Commission of India has filed a new affidavit in the Supreme Court. The Commission has made it clear in this affidavit that it is their constitutional right to confirm the Indian citizenship of any person before including him in the voter list. This right and responsibility is clearly enshrined in the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

In the affidavit, the Election Commission has said that it is its primary responsibility to keep the voter list pure, transparent and reliable and for this, citizenship verification is a necessary step. The Commission also said that as per law, only Indian citizens can become voters, hence verification of documents and information before registration is an integral part of the process. It is their responsibility to complete the process on this.

Answers to all the questions asked in the petitions

This affidavit filed by the Election Commission is being considered important in the context of the petitions filed recently, in which alleged irregularities in the voter list and questions related to citizenship have been raised. The Election Commission has answered all the questions asked in the petitions in its new affidavit. Not only this, the Commission has also made it clear that it will conduct SIR sequentially in the entire country. There is no longer any doubt on this matter of the morning. The Supreme Court will decide the next hearing on this matter.

The situation on Aadhar card was also clear

Earlier, the Election Commission had answered the question asked by the Supreme Court on the use of Aadhaar and citizenship. In its affidavit filed in the court, the Supreme Court said that Aadhaar is being used only to verify the identity of the applicants wishing to include their names in the voter list. It is not being used as proof of citizenship or for adding or removing names from the voter list. The Commission has issued instructions to the officials that as per Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, Aadhaar card should not be used for adding or deleting names in the voter list.