The Telangana High Court declined to direct the Election Commission to introduce Aadhaar, biometric, or OTP-based voter authentication, citing feasibility and jurisdiction limits.

Telangana HC Declines to Intervene in Aadhaar-Based Voter Verification

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday refused to issue any directive to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the implementation of Aadhaar-linked biometric or OTP-based voter verification systems.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin noted that such measures were currently impractical as sections of the population still lack access to mobile phones and digital infrastructure. The judges held that the ECI must decide independently on any proposed authentication process and that the judiciary cannot interfere in its administrative domain.

The order was passed while dismissing a petition filed by Syed Zakir Hussain from Rajendranagar mandal, who had sought a study on introducing technology-based voter verification to prevent impersonation and electoral fraud.

Analysis: The verdict underscores the court’s stance on maintaining institutional boundaries between the judiciary and the Election Commission. While the demand for stronger voter authentication systems is gaining traction in the digital era, the ruling highlights India’s ongoing digital divide. For now, improving voter awareness and ensuring clean electoral rolls may be more practical steps than pushing for biometric-based reforms.