RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has been asked by Bihar’s election office to produce details of a “second” voter ID card he claimed was deleted from the electoral roll. The Election Commission denies his allegations and suspects the EPIC number may be invalid or forged. Investigation is ongoing.
A political storm has erupted in Bihar after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav claimed that his name was missing from the state’s draft electoral roll. A day after his explosive press conference, the Election Commission has responded by formally asking Yadav to produce details and the original copy of the “second” voter ID (EPIC) number he referenced.
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the Digha Assembly constituency, under which Yadav’s name is listed, sent a letter dated August 3 requesting the RJD leader to submit the physical copy of the EPIC card that he alleged had been removed from the roll. The ERO’s communication was in direct response to Yadav’s press conference held on August 2, during which he claimed his name had been omitted from the draft list published as of the eligibility date, July 1, 2025.
“You are requested to kindly provide the details of the EPIC card (along with the original copy of the card) mentioned by you in the press conference held on August 2, 2025 to the undersigned, so that it can be thoroughly investigated,” the ERO wrote.
During his press meet, Tejashwi Yadav conducted a live online search on the Election Commission’s website using an EPIC number, only to find that there were “no records found.” He used the instance to argue that he was not listed as a registered voter in Bihar and therefore technically disqualified from contesting elections.
The controversy quickly snowballed into a high-voltage political issue. Within hours of Yadav’s claims, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a strong rebuttal. The office of the District Election Officer (DEO) of Patna took to social media platform X to counter Yadav’s allegations, stating, “Tejashwi Yadav’s claim that his name is missing from the electoral roll post-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is false. His name appears at Serial Number 416, and his polling booth number is 204 — Veterinary College, Patna.”
ECI sources further clarified that Tejashwi Yadav had used the EPIC number RAB0456228 to file his nomination in 2020, the same one reflected in the 2015 electoral roll. However, Yadav also cited a second EPIC number — RAB2916120 — during his press briefing, which, according to the ECI, has never existed in official records.
“No records related to the second EPIC number could be found despite examining documents spanning the last ten years,” an official from the Bihar election office revealed. “It appears that this second EPIC was either never generated through official channels or could be forged. A full investigation is currently underway.”
The unfolding situation has provided the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with an opportunity to hit back. On Sunday, BJP leaders accused Tejashwi Yadav of attempting to tarnish the credibility of the electoral process in Bihar. They labeled his press conference a “desperate and failed attempt” to question the legitimacy of the recent voter roll revision exercise.
“This is not just about an EPIC number. It’s a calculated political stunt aimed at eroding public trust in democratic institutions,” a senior BJP leader said.
Political analysts believe the issue could have serious ramifications, both in terms of voter sentiment and potential legal consequences if any attempt at forgery is established. The Election Commission’s continued scrutiny of the second EPIC number could potentially drag the matter into court, especially if the investigation reveals any violation of electoral laws.
| Also Read: BJP presidential poll likely after Vice President election concludes |
As Bihar gears up for crucial elections in the coming months, this controversy around one of the state’s most prominent opposition leaders could significantly shape the political discourse. For now, the ball is in Tejashwi Yadav’s court as he has been officially asked to prove the existence of the disputed voter ID card.
