ECI Reassures Voters on Passport Validity
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has moved to dispel public confusion, confirming that an Indian passport remains one of 12 accepted documents for establishing eligibility during the revision of electoral rolls. This clarification comes in the wake of a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserting that a passport serves primarily as a travel document and is not conclusive proof of citizenship.
ECI officials emphasized that there has been no change in the status of passports for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They highlighted that during revisions in states like Bihar and Assam, passports have consistently been accepted for voter registration and verification.
Understanding the Recent Confusion
The recent public debate stemmed from the MEA's reiteration that an Indian passport, issued under the Passports Act, 1967, is not considered definitive proof of citizenship. Government sources further clarified that this has always been the legal position and no new policy change has been introduced over the past decade.
Citizenship in India is governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955. There is no single universal citizenship certificate held by every citizen. Instead, citizenship can be established through a combination of documents, which may include birth records, citizenship certificates, parents' documents, voter records, and other government-issued documents.
Expert View on Passport and Citizenship
Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao offered a nuanced perspective, stating that while an Indian passport serves as strong evidence of citizenship in everyday life and for international travel, its legal standing differs in disputes over citizenship itself.
"A passport is issued because the Government has satisfied itself that you are an Indian citizen. It is therefore powerful evidence of citizenship in ordinary life and in international travel," Rao explained in a social media post. She added, "But in a legal dispute over citizenship itself, the governing law remains the Citizenship Act, and a passport is not conclusive proof that overrides all other evidence."
Rao concluded that the MEA's position is legally sound, differentiating between the Passports Act, which governs the document, and the Citizenship Act, 1955, which defines legal status.