Aadhaar database to be embedded with that of EPIC by 2016: CEC

It is expected that this task will be achieved by early 2016

The Election Commission has initiated an ambitious plan to "embed" and synchronise the Aadhaar database with that of the Electoral Photo ID Card (EPIC) to minimise complaints of duplication or forgery of the electoral rolls.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) H S Brahma today said the poll panel has already started the process in this regard with the Aadhaar's parent body UIDAI and it expected that this task would be achieved by early 2016.

"We have decided to embed the Aadhaar data on our platform of the EPIC. The EPIC is given to every eligible voter of the country. Once we are able to do this, we will have a 100 per cent purity of the (electoral) rolls.

"Once these two data come together there will be correct name, biometrics and address of an individual. The day we do that, 99 per cent of complaints of political parties and candidates about electoral rolls will disappear. This should be done within the next 8-9 months or early 2016," he said while addressing the 5th National Voters' Day event here.

The Aadhaar database captures all essential biometrics and other vital details of an individual.

The CEC, while talking about participation of the citizens during elections, urged voters to enthusiastically go to the polling booth to vote in every election, including the forthcoming Assembly polls in Delhi on February 7.

He said voting is a "moral responsibility" on the part of the voters.

Brahma said out of a total 84 crore voters in the country, only 55 crore vote while the rest, about 30 crore, do not vote at a given time due to various reasons like accidental or deliberate absentism.

"It is everyone's moral duty and ethical responsibility to vote. The role of political parties is to elect a good leader and the role of voters is important. If you choose a good candidate or leader he will work for all of us," he said.