New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced its decision to link EPIC Voter-ID numbers with Aadhaar in an effort to clean up voter lists and eliminate duplicate registrations. The move follows concerns raised by the Congress party and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls, particularly in the Maharashtra 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections.

In a statement, the Congress-backed Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE) said the ECI’s decision was a “clear acknowledgment” of its concerns regarding suspicious additions to voter lists. The party has demanded that the electoral photo rolls of the Maharashtra 2024 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections be made public to ensure transparency.

Congress has specifically alleged an unusual spike in voter registrations within a short span between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls, pointing to potential fake, duplicate, or ghost voters. The ECI's plan to use Aadhaar for de-duplication aligns with the party’s demand for a cleaner voter list, as it could help prevent individuals from holding multiple voter IDs.

While welcoming efforts to maintain electoral integrity, Congress emphasized the need for safeguards to ensure that no eligible voter is denied their right to vote due to Aadhaar linkage. The party called on the Election Commission to consult all stakeholders and guarantee that privacy concerns are addressed and no legitimate voter is disenfranchised.