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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
ALSO READ: Bantwal police arrest two men for illegal sale of narcotics, seize two vehicles, 810 gm ganja
According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
