EC to ensure allotment of unique EPIC number to registered electors amid duplicate voter ID concerns
New Delhi: The Election Commission on Sunday clarified that electors from two different states or union territories having identical EPIC numbers does not mean there are duplicate or fake voters. The Commission explained that even if two voters share an identical EPIC number, they will still be assigned different polling booths and constituencies based on their personal details, ensuring that voters can only cast ballots in their designated areas.
The poll body mentioned in a statement that while EPIC numbers of some of the electors may be identical, the other details including demographic details, Assembly constituency and polling booth are different for the electors with the same EPIC number.
“Irrespective of the EPIC number, any elector can cast a vote only at their designated polling station in their respective constituency in the state/UT where they are enrolled in the electoral roll, and nowhere else,” the poll panel underlined.
The EC further stated that the identical EPIC numbers given to some electors from different states and union territories were a result of the “decentralized and manual mechanism” used before the electoral roll database was moved to the ERONET (Electoral Roll Management) platform.
The Commission also emphasised that any cases of duplicate EPIC numbers will be corrected, and each voter will be given a unique EPIC number moving forward. Additionally, the ERONET 2.0 platform will be updated to assist in this process.
This clarification came after the issue was raised by a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, who pointed out that an elector from Cooch Behar in West Bengal shared the same EPIC number with another voter from Didarganj in Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also alleged the presence of “fake” and “outsider” voters in the state.
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Kantara mimicking case: HC extends interim relief given to actor Ranveer Singh till March 9
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended the interim relief given to Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh till March 9, in a case related to mimicking a character from the movie, 'Kantara Chapter-1', and allegedly mocking a deity.
The actor had approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR against him for mimicking Rishab Shetty's role as 'Chavunda' deity in the movie.
While mimicking, Singh had called the deity a "ghost". The actor was asked to appear before the court in person on Monday.
Appearing on behalf of the actor, his counsel Sajjan Poovayya said Singh was stuck in London and was unable to reach Bengaluru due to the conflict in West Asia.
The complainant, who is a lawyer, alleged that his religious sentiments were hurt by calling the deity a ghost. On the directions of a local Court, the police registered a case against the actor.
The High Court on February 24 granted interim relief to the actor with directions to the police not to take any coercive steps against him.
