SC notice to Centre, EC on plea for biometric voter identification at polling stations

Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce finger and iris-based biometric identification at polling stations to prevent duplicate and fraudulent voting.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, however, clarified that the relief sought could not be implemented for the ongoing Assembly elections in certain states.

“Whether such a mechanism should be adopted before the next parliamentary or state Assembly elections requires consideration. Issue notice,” the bench observed.

The court issued notices to the Centre, the Election Commission, and several state governments, seeking their responses to the petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.

In his plea, Upadhyay argued that electoral malpractices such as bribery, undue influence, impersonation, duplicate voting, and bogus voting continue to undermine the integrity of the democratic process.

He contended that introducing biometric verification at polling stations could help ensure greater transparency and strengthen the credibility of elections.