In a move that could simplify voter registration for lakhs, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has formally requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include the Madhyamik (Secondary) examination admit card as a valid document for establishing date of birth. This proposal, if accepted, would make the admit card the 14th officially notified document for voter enrolment in the state.
The Genesis of the Proposal
The recommendation stems from ongoing hearings of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls. Officials have encountered numerous cases where individuals, who did not pass the Madhyamik examination, possess their old admit card which clearly mentions their date of birth. These citizens have been pleading for the card to be accepted as legitimate proof for voter registration, as they may lack other standard documents like a birth certificate.
A senior EC official confirmed the development, stating, "We were informed that the date of birth is mentioned in the Madhyamik admit card also. So, we made a recommendation to the EC to accept it as one of the documents." The official clarified that if the commission approves, the rule will be applicable to all voters across West Bengal during such hearings.
Potential for a Historic First
Currently, the Election Commission accepts matriculation or equivalent certificates issued by any recognised board or university as one of the 13 notified documents for voter registration. The admit card, however, is not on this list. The West Bengal proposal specifically seeks to include the hall ticket for the board exam, not just the final certificate.
This move could position West Bengal as the first state in India where the Madhyamik admit card is accepted as a valid document for electoral purposes. This stands in contrast to states like Bihar, where the admit card for the Matriculation examination issued by the Bihar School Examination Board has not been accepted as a valid document.
Implications and Broader Impact
The acceptance of the Madhyamik admit card could have significant implications for voter inclusion, particularly for older generations or those in rural areas who might have lost their formal certificates but preserved their exam hall tickets. It simplifies the documentation process, aligning with the ECI's goal of ensuring no eligible voter is left out due to paperwork hurdles.
The ball is now in the Election Commission's court. Its decision on West Bengal's recommendation will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for other states dealing with similar requests from citizens lacking conventional birth proof documents. The move underscores the evolving nature of document acceptance in India's democratic process.
