NEW DELHI: Amid the raging row over duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers, the Election Commission (EC) has written to all political parties, asking them to participate in a meeting to strengthen the election process within the legal framework, indicating that such an interaction could take place at their convenience.
In the meantime, the poll panel also invited suggestions from all national and regional parties to flag unresolved election issues by April 30 with concerned officials.
At a recent internal meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar had directed poll officials to hold regular interactions with political parties, resolve issues and submit an action taken report by March 31. He had also urged political parties to proactively use this mechanism of decentralised engagement.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday afternoon met the EC to raise the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers. The Commission in a statement said it had assured the delegation that all concerns “including duplicate EPIC numbers, duplicate, shifted and dead voters and illegal migrants will be resolved by each Booth Level Officer and concerned Electoral Registration Officer with active participation of Booth Level Agents appointed by parties”.
The Commission’s initiative comes amid the uproar by opposition parties over alleged tampering of electoral rolls in last month’s Delhi assembly elections and the Maharashtra assembly polls last year.
The matter is creating ripples in the ongoing session of Parliament with the Opposition flagging the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers. The Congress has been demanding discussion on alleged discrepancies in voters’ lists.
... as voters’ duplication row hits Parliament
The matter is creating ripples in the ongoing session of Parliament with opposition members flagging the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers. The Congress has been demanding discussion on the issue in both Houses with the TMC alleging “serious flaws” in the electoral rolls.