The Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) serves as a crucial proof for voters across India. Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) admitted that duplicate EPIC numbers had been issued in several states due to old allocation errors, some of which date back nearly two decades. The Commission has assured that these issues will be fixed within three months, particularly ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
The Tejashwi Yadav Case
On August 3, 2025, the ECI issued a notice to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, stating that he possesses two different EPIC numbers — RAB0456228 and RAB2916120. The second number was reportedly not part of official records. Tejashwi has been asked to hand over the card associated with the unrecognized number for further investigation.
Claims and Counterclaims
A day earlier, Tejashwi had accused the Election Commission of removing his name from Bihar’s electoral rolls, displaying a “no records found” message as proof. He further alleged that nearly 65 lakh voters had been deliberately removed from the voter list before the elections. However, the ECI and the Patna District Magistrate rejected these accusations, while BJP leaders called his claims misleading.
Why It Matters
This controversy raises serious concerns over the integrity of voter data and the transparency of electoral processes. It also places the ECI under pressure to ensure that such errors do not affect voter confidence, especially with state elections around the corner.
Conclusion
While technical errors in EPIC allocation are not new, the involvement of a high‑profile political leader has amplified the debate. The coming months will be crucial as the ECI works to address these discrepancies and restore trust in the electoral system.
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