(a) whether the Election Commission propose to enforce mandatory use of Identity Cards from the next general elections in all the States;
(b) if so, whether the process of issuing Photo Identity Cards to all the citizens in the country have since been completed;
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(c) if so, the facts and details in this regard stating the percentage of citizens who have been provided Photo I. Card; and
(d) extent to which the bogus voting is likely to be checked after introducing of mandatory use of I. Card?
MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE & COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) and (d): According to the Election Commission of India, it is expected that the mandatory use of photo identity cards along with certain alternative means of identification during the next general elections, on the lines of procedure adopted during the last general elections to various Legislative Assemblies will be able to check bogus voting to a large extent.
(b) and (c): The Election Commission has informed that more than thirty-nine crore electors representing 63.5% of the eligible voters in the country (excluding Jammu and Kashmir where the scheme has not been extended) have been provided photo-identity cards. The scheme to issue photo-identity cards to electors is, however, not a project but a programme for the completion of which no time limit can be fixed as the registration of electors is a continuous and ongoing process (excepting for a brief period between the last date for filing nomination and completion of electoral process) on account of more number of persons becoming eligible for the right of franchise on attaining the age of 18 years as also due to movement of electors.