In spite of huge opposition, changes to the electoral laws to allow linking of the Aadhaar card to the voter I-card were proposed as a Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Opposition parties highlighted that this could lead to more non-citizens voting in the country. But the government called the opposition’s objections misguided and baseless.
“Aadhaar was meant to be proof of residence, not proof of citizenship. If you are asking an Aadhar card for the voter, all you get is a document that reflects residence. You are potentially giving voting rights to non-citizens,” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said in the Lok Sabha.
TMC, Congres and many MPs of the opposition said the central government is interfering in the election process, and objected the proposed election reforms.
Defending its action, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said “The government wants to stop bogus voting and fake voting. In such a move, the opposition should support the government,” said Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.