Aadhaar-Linked Mobile Number Now Mandatory for Voter Roll Changes

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it mandatory to use an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for all online voter registration changes, including additions, deletions, and modifications. Officials confirmed the decision was taken a month ago and implemented by the IT department.

The move comes amid political controversy after Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, accused the Commission of enabling large-scale voter deletions in Karnataka. At a press conference, Gandhi alleged that "a third force" was orchestrating targeted deletions and claimed 6,018 voters were removed from Aland Assembly constituency, terming it "voter theft."

ECI's Response

Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukkumar rejected the allegations, clarifying that in December 2022, 6,018 Form-7 applications for deletions were indeed filed online in Aland. Given the unusually high number, officials carried out document verification and field checks. Only 24 applications were found genuine, while 5,994 were rejected as false. "No mass deletion took place," Anbukkumar stated.

Investigation Underway

An FIR (No.26/2023) was registered at Aland Police Station on February 21, 2023, to probe the fake applications. The Indian Express reported the Aadhaar-linked mobile requirement shortly after Gandhi's press conference.

Political Reactions

Rahul Gandhi escalated his criticism on social media, accusing the ECI of acting only after exposure:

"Gyanesh ji, we caught the theft and only then did you remember to put a lock," he posted on X (formerly Twitter), while demanding that the Commission hand over evidence to the CID.