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Duplicate EPIC Numbers: EC to Issue Unique Voter ID Numbers

8 March 20251 min read
NATIONAL AFFAIRSDuplicate EPICNumbers: EC toIssue UniqueVoter ID Numbers8 March 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

After a political row, the Election Commission (EC) admitted duplicate voter ID numbers and set a three-month deadline to fix them.

Key facts

  • The Trinamool Congress alleged outside-state voters were being added to Bengal’s roll.
  • A sample check of 100+ electors found duplicate-number holders genuine.
  • Cause: from 2000, some EROs used a wrong EPIC series; separate state databases hid it.
  • Fix: new unique numbers for duplicates and for all future voters.

Appeal route

StageAuthority
FirstDistrict Magistrate, Collector or Executive Magistrate (Section 24(a), Representation of the People Act, 1950)
SecondState/UT Chief Electoral Officer

Concerns

  • Why were duplicates issued, and why did correction take decades?
  • Did the EC earlier misstate that all IDs were unique?

Exam angle

  • EPIC = Electors Photo Identification Card.

Test yourself

1. How many digits does a unique EPIC voter ID number issued by the Election Commission have?

EPIC is a 10-digit unique number.

2. Under which law can a voter file the first appeal over an EPIC issue to the District Magistrate?

First appeal is under Section 24(a) of the RP Act, 1950.

3. Which party raised the allegation that led to the duplicate EPIC controversy?

The TMC alleged voters from other states were added to West Bengal's roll.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 8 March 2025 (15 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizMarch 2025

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