Will your name be struck off the voter list unless you link Aadhaar?

Giving your Aadhaar number to the electoral office is optional, and nothing in the law removes a name for not linking it. The Act says voters already on the roll "may" share the number, and it bars deleting an entry for inability to give it because of a sufficient cause set out in the rules. In September 2023 the Election Commission told the Supreme Court that submitting the number is not mandatory under Rule 26B.

Exceptions and limits

Names can still be removed for other reasons, such as death or a permanent move, through the normal process. The Supreme Court order records the Commission's statement and closes the petition, so it is not a ruling on the merits.

Sources

• Representation of the People Act, 1950, section 23(5) and (6) (Manual of Election Law, Vol I, Legislative Department)
• Supreme Court order, G. Niranjan v. Election Commission of India, 18 September 2023
• Election Commission of India, note and FAQs on annual revision of electoral rolls, Q42

Related: Voter ID and Aadhaar: what linking actually means

This is a commonly repeated belief, and we are not attributing it to any person or party. Written by the India Vote Kar editorial team and checked on 31 October 2026. India Vote Kar also sells election software and campaign services; see how we check. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections policy.