- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- EC confirms passport validity for voter list enrollment process.
- MEA clarified passport is travel document, not citizenship proof.
- Passport remains among 12 mandatory documents for electoral rolls.
Amid the ongoing row over passports, the Election Commission on Thursday issued a statement for voters, saying that the travel document remains valid for enrolling or maintaining one's name on the voter list.
A passport is one of the 12 mandatory documents required by a voter to present for one's eligibility for inclusion on the electoral rolls. A poll body official said that passports have always remained a means to prove identity, and they remain so today, as no changes have been made by the government.
The row over Aadhaar not being considered as a valid identity document for poll roll revisions had triggered a massive political firestorm since the first phase of SIR in Bihar.
The opposition parties continued to question the EC's stance even in phase and the ongoing phase 3 of the nationwide exercise. The matter had even reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the poll body's decision but had asked to consider its inclusion in the list of documents.
What does MEA's clarification on passports mean?
The passport is generally considered the strongest proof of one's citizenship in the country. However, the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday clarified that it is not conclusive proof of citizenship but a travel document that facilitates individuals' foreign travel, declares their nationality to immigration officials in other countries, and seeks consular assistance from Indian embassies abroad.
The documents protect holders' rights abroad. The MEA's clarification thus triggered a nationwide debate, even sparking criticism from the opposition.
The passport falls outside the ambit of the laws governing citizenship, and hence it alone does not qualify as conclusive proof.
ALSO READ: Passport Application Fees Hiked From July 1: Check New Charges And Online Application Process
Under Section 20 of the Passports Act 1967, the Centre also has the authority to issue the document to non-citizens, though its scope remains very limited and can be done only if the government deems it necessary in the national interest.
Additionally, the passport is a government property which can be confiscated by the government, unlike citizenship, which can not be revoked unless in extreme circumstances.