Election Commission to Address Duplicate Voter IDs Within Three Months
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) has announced a significant move to resolve the persistent issue of duplicate Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers within the next three months. This comes in response to criticisms from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Congress party, who have accused the poll body of manipulating voters’ lists to favor the BJP.
In an official statement, the EC acknowledged the presence of multiple voters with identical EPIC numbers, a result of discrepancies in the allotment process since the EPIC system was introduced in 2000. The commission clarified that despite these duplications, each elector linked to a specific polling station can only vote at that designated location, thus preventing any misuse of duplicate IDs.
“Irrespective of an EPIC number, an elector who is linked to the electoral roll of a particular polling station can cast their vote at that polling station only and nowhere else,” the commission stated.
Understanding the Issue of Duplicate EPICs
The EC revealed that the issue stemmed from incorrect series usage when the EPIC system was first implemented, leading to undetected errors at the national level as individual states managed their electoral roll databases independently. Anuj Chandak, a director at the EC, emphasized the importance of electoral integrity and committed to ensuring a unique national EPIC number for all voters.
Political Reactions
The announcement was met with a swift response from Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, interpreting the commission’s statement as an admission of guilt regarding the duplicate EPIC numbers. TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale stated, “This is a scam, and answers must be given.” He attributed the EC’s change in stance to the relentless scrutiny by the Chief Minister.
As the EC works towards rectifying this issue, voters are encouraged to stay informed and engaged in the electoral process. For those looking to enhance their shopping experience, check out Looffers.com for the latest deals and discounts.
