Duplication In EPIC Number Does Not Imply Duplicate Or Fake Voters, Clarifies Election Commission; Plans Unique ID Fix

The Election Commission on Sunday (2 March) clarified that that duplication in Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number does not imply duplicate or fake voters.

The clarification was issued in response to certain social media posts and media reports flagging the issue of electors of two different states having identical EPIC numbers.

Taking cognisance of the social media posts and media reports, the EC said, "In this regard, it is clarified 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 their State/UT where they are enrolled in the electoral roll and nowhere else," the poll panel added.

According to the Election Commission, the allotment of identical EPIC number or series to some electors from different States and UTs was due to a "decentralized and manual mechanism being followed prior to shifting of the electoral roll database of all States/UTs to the ERONET platform".

"This resulted in certain State/UT CEO offices using the same EPIC alphanumeric series and leaving a scope for the possibility of duplicate EPIC numbers being allotted to electors in different Assembly Constituencies in different States/UTs," it added.

However, to resolve the issue and allay any apprehensions, the Commission has decided to ensure allotment of unique EPIC number to registered electors.

"Any case of duplicate EPIC number will be rectified by allotting a unique EPIC number. The ERONET 2.0 platform will be updated to aid and assist in this process," the poll panel said.

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