CAA certificate acceptable for voter registration, announces ECI just before hearing of claims

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has delivered a landmark decision that significantly benefits the Matua community in West Bengal. Just before the commencement of hearings for claims and objections, the Commission clarified that citizenship certificates issued under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be accepted as valid documents for voter registration. This move clears the air for many Matuas who had already received their citizenship certificates but were unsure if these would be admissible, as the certificate was not initially part of the ECI's standard document list.

The Commission explained that while the draft list has been released, Matuas who have recently obtained citizenship can apply anew by filling out Form 6. A crucial aspect of this decision relates to the "no mapping" issue. For voters whose names or family links are not found in the 2002 records, the CAA certificate will serve as the necessary link. Since the certificate contains comprehensive personal and background information, it will be sufficient to establish the required mapping for inclusion in the final voter list.

This decision follows a recent Supreme Court observation where a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Jaymalya Bagchi clarified that voting rights are contingent upon confirmed citizenship. The court had ruled that merely applying for CAA does not grant a spot on the voter list; one must first become a legal citizen. With citizenship messages now reaching applicants' phones, the ECI’s latest stance ensures that these new citizens can transition smoothly into the electoral roll.

Political reactions have been swift. BJP leader Jagannath Chatterjee welcomed the move, noting that 70,000 people have already applied for CAA and their inclusion in the voter list is a victory for refugee rights. On the other hand, TMC MP Mamata Bala Thakur questioned why the Commission continues to demand 11 other documents while still not prioritizing the Aadhaar card.