TNN | Feb 17, 2015, 04.00AM IST
BENGALURU: Come March, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will embark on a nationwide drive to link Aadhaar numbers with electoral rolls. The aim is to weed out multiple voter cards and bogus voters, and put in place an authentic database of voters.
The initiative, Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Drive (ERPAD), to be launched across all 676 districts, is proposed to be completed by August 15. However, it is set to face hurdles in Karnataka as Aadhaar enrolment itself is much behind target in many districts.
According to a senior officer in the chief electoral office, only Tumakuru and Mysuru districts have neared 100% Aadhaar coverage. "Even if we want to launch the drive, it's unlikely to receive a good response, except in these two districts. Also, since Aadhaar isn't mandatory for any government service, the response could be tepid," he added.
N Raju, technical officer with the chief electoral office, Karnataka, said they have received instructions from the ECI and are working on implementing it. "The ECI has done a pilot project on ERPAD in places like Andhra Pradesh where Aadhaar enrollment is going well. We are yet to get detailed instructions on this," he added.
Ashok MR Dalwai, deputy director general, UIDAI regional office, Bengaluru, said they are yet to receive official communication regarding implementation of ERPAD in Karnataka. "The state has got enough Aadhaar coverage (about 76%) to go ahead with the project. In fact, we can launch an initiative to speed up Aadhaar enrollment of those above 18 (eligible age for voting) so that they can link the same with the election commission. It's a good opportunity to clean up the electoral rolls and we should make use of it," he added.
Update voter card details:
As part of the nationwide drive, the ECI wants every voter to update one's Aadhaar card number on its website launched last January. Just like DBTL, linking Aadhaar with EPIC cards isn't mandatory for voters to update their data, though ECI is keen on linking the two.
The portal launched for the purpose will also provide people with an opportunity to change details on their voter ID cards. Error in address, spellings and date of birth can be rectified.
Figure it out:
* 76,63,58,604 Aadhaar cards issued in India as on February 16
* 4,71,30,478 people covered under Aadhaar in Karnataka
* 70,41,345: Aadhaar coverage in Bengaluru
* 2 districts in Karnataka have neared 100% Aadhaar coverage
* 4.7 crore registered voters in Karnataka
* 72 lakh voters in Bengaluru