Election Commission Disputes Tejashwi Yadav’s Voter ID Assertion

The Election Commission has issued a formal notice to Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, challenging his assertion that his name is missing from the draft voter list. This development follows Mr. Yadav’s public claim, made during a press conference, that his voter ID was not recognized in the Commission’s records. The Commission has refuted this claim, stating that the EPIC number provided by Mr. Yadav does not correspond to an officially issued ID.

Details of the Notice Issued to Tejashwi Yadav

In its notice, the Election Commission has requested Mr. Yadav to furnish details of the voter ID card he presented at the press conference. The notice specifies that while Mr. Yadav claims his EPIC number is RAB2916120, their records show his name listed under a different EPIC number, RAB0456228, at polling station number 204 in Bihar Animal Science University. The Commission has asked Mr. Yadav to provide the original copy of the disputed EPIC card for further investigation.

Background on the Controversial Voter List Revision

This controversy arises in the wake of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which resulted in the removal of 65 lakh voters due to reasons such as deaths and migration. Mr. Yadav has criticized the process, alleging that the Election Commission has withheld crucial details like voter addresses and booth numbers, making it difficult to verify whose names have been removed.

Allegations of Fake Voter IDs and Political Implications

The Election Commission’s sources have also pointed out discrepancies involving other political figures, such as CPI(ML) MP Sudama Prasad’s wife, who reportedly holds two EPIC numbers. This issue is part of a broader legal challenge against the SIR exercise currently pending in the Supreme Court.

Implications for Electoral Integrity and Political Accountability

The ongoing dispute highlights significant concerns about electoral integrity and transparency in voter list management. As political parties and leaders continue to scrutinize these processes, the Election Commission faces mounting pressure to ensure accuracy and accountability in its operations.