Kolkata, March 4, 2025 – The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has dismissed the Election Commission’s (EC) explanation on the alleged issuance of duplicate voter ID numbers, calling it a “cover-up” to mask a major electoral scam. Party MP Saket Gokhale cited the EC’s own guidelines to assert that two voter ID cards cannot have the same number, contradicting the poll panel’s defense.
TMC had earlier given the EC a 24-hour ultimatum to acknowledge the alleged irregularity. Taking to social media platform X, Gokhale shared excerpts from the ‘Handbook For Electoral Registration Officers’ to challenge the EC’s claim that similar EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) numbers were issued due to old practices. He argued that Functional Unique Serial Numbers (FUSN) differ across Assembly constituencies, making duplication impossible.
“How is it that EPIC numbers from voters in West Bengal have been given to people in Haryana, Gujarat, and other states?” Gokhale questioned, warning that this could lead to voter suppression by denying people their right to vote due to photo mismatches in electoral rolls.
TMC has vowed to present more evidence and has accused the EC of being compromised under the BJP-led central government. The party is now pushing for an independent probe and plans to raise the issue in Parliament, rallying support from other INDIA bloc allies.
With elections approaching, the controversy has sparked concerns over electoral integrity, with TMC demanding transparency and accountability from the Election Commission
