B B Nayak,TNN | Mar 12, 2014, 06.25 AM IST
NAVI MUMBAI: Voters are miffed over the fact that Aadhaar card has been given a miss as the sole proof of identity and address for registration in the new electoral roll, as notified by the Election Commission (EC), in favour of documents like electricity and telephone bills and ration cards.
Residents, especially first-time voters, complained about the veracity of Aadhaar card for which they had to face several hurdles while obtaining it as the most 'unique' identity card issued by the Central government.
Voters are facing difficulties while approaching the regular voter registration centres in each assembly constituency to prove themselves as bonafide citizens of the country.
"We were told to carry power bill, telephone bill or ration card as proof of residence. Now we will approach the regular centre at Airoli ward office, which is the sole centre in the entire assembly for registration," said Digha resident Rajesh Gupta. The last date for enrollment is March 24, when the election notification comes into force as the last date of nomination.
"What is the use of Aadhaar card when it's not accepted as a proof of residence and identity? We got the Aadhaar card after much hue and cry when it was publicized as the sole identity for all Indian citizens," said Sarita Lanjewar from Chinchpada.
This came to the fore during the special registration drive conducted by the EC on Sunday when many enthusiastic first time voters were denied enrolment as new voters for their fault that they carried aadhaar card as a solid proof. Government has not yet notified that aadhaar is a potential proof of identity which could serve as both residential proof and identity.
Aadhaar card has not been considered as the mandatory identity or residence proof and instead the EC has given importance to light bill and telephone bill, ration card and passport for new voter registration. This created fuss among the enthusiastic voters who want to exercise their franchise for the first time.