High Court Refuses Direction On Aadhaar-Based Voter Verification
- Telangana High Court refuses plea to mandate biometric voter checks
- Bench says ECI must decide feasibility of Aadhaar-linked authentication
The Telangana High Court has refused to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to implement Aadhaar-based or mobile OTP-based voter authentication systems.
Delivering its order on Friday, the bench comprising Chief Justice Aperash Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin ruled that such directions cannot be issued by the court and that the matter must be left to the ECI’s independent consideration.
The bench observed that an Aadhaar-linked biometric or mobile OTP verification system is not currently feasible across the country.
It noted that several sections of the population still do not have access to mobile phones or stable digital connectivity, which are both essential for such a verification process. This technical and social limitation, the court said, makes it impractical to enforce a uniform voter authentication system at this stage.
The court stated that it was for the ECI to evaluate the practicality and legality of such an initiative and then take appropriate steps if necessary.
The judges underscored that judicial interference in the technical and administrative functions of the Election Commission is not permissible under law. By maintaining judicial restraint, the Court indicated that constitutional bodies like the ECI must act independently within their statutory powers.
The judgment came in response to a petition filed by Syed Zakir Hussain of Rajendranagar mandal in Ranga Reddy district.
Hussain had challenged what he described as the ECI’s inaction on his representation, which sought a formal study on introducing voter authentication through Aadhaar-linked biometrics and mobile OTP systems. After hearing the arguments, the bench dismissed the petition, reaffirming that the issue falls strictly within the Election Commission’s jurisdiction.
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