Examine the challenges and potential solutions to the Aadhaar system in India, particularly with respect to data privacy, biometric security, and electoral integrity.

Malpractices were alleged such as the Delhi elections where parties questioned removal of supporters from the Electoral Roll.

Aadhaar linkage can be a solution to navigate this:

Benefits of Aadhaar linkage:

i) Unique neos maintained - reduced redundancy and duplicacy

ii) Faster updation - using Aadhaar e-KYC

iii) Automation - reduces manual errors

iv) Reduces politicization by parties cannot use untrue documents to force removal by election commission [ECI]

But also creates challenges:

i) Data privacy issues (called Aadhaar data in 2024)

ii) Fake Aadhaar also seen (multiple IDs for same person)

iii) Breaches right of privacy also (Forced linkages may be used to cause 100% coverage)

iv) Digital divide creates issues (Not all have linked Aadhaar, Exclusion error)

v) Does not solve problem of migrants and digital nomads

Solutions:

i) Voluntary linkages - Opting to opt out

Solutions:

i) Voluntary linkages - Opting to opt out

ii) Awareness drives by ECI (urge people to update their status)

iii) For changes: need minimum 2 people to verify changes

iv) Technology: Encryption to ensure updated voter sheets, Blockchain used in west Virginia

v) Online voting

vi) Political maturity: parties must not indulge in lawly tactics

Hence, electoral integrity requires the holistic support of voters and parties alike to ensure 'One Vote, One Value'