Is Bihar MP's Wife Really Holding 'Dual' EPIC Numbers?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of dual EPIC numbers raise serious electoral integrity concerns.
- The Supreme Court is set to review the situation on August 12.
- Political responses from key figures highlight the significance of voter registration accuracy.
- Upcoming elections may be influenced by these developments.
New Delhi, Aug 3 (NationPress) A Left MP from Bihar who has challenged the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the Supreme Court is facing scrutiny as reports emerge suggesting that his wife may be registered as a voter in two distinct Assembly constituencies with separate EPIC numbers, according to sources from the election office.
The petitioner, Sudama Prasad, a Member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, has a wife named Shobha Devi, who allegedly possesses two EPIC numbers: RGX3264140 and WVA0308544.
One of these EPIC numbers is linked to the Arrah Assembly constituency, with the Lavarish Seva Kendra designated as her polling station, while the other is associated with Agiaon constituency, where her polling station is Samudayik Bhavan Araila, as reported by the Bihar election office sources.
This latest revelation regarding 'dual EPIC numbers' arises closely following a similar controversy involving Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is also accused of holding two different Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.
Recently, the Supreme Court, while reviewing a series of petitions challenging the electoral roll's revision ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in November, postponed the matter to August 12, promising prompt action if there is any mass exclusion of voters in the SIR.
On Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav ignited a political uproar in Patna by claiming that his name was absent from Bihar’s draft electoral roll. Sources from the Election Commission of India (ECI) suggested that he may possess two EPIC numbers, with only one being validated in the SIR.
On Sunday, the election office reached out to him for details regarding his 'second' EPIC number, which he claims was removed from the voter list.
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for the Digha Assembly constituency formally requested the Leader of Opposition to produce the original voter ID card associated with the alleged missing number from the draft electoral roll.
“You are kindly requested to provide the details of the EPIC card (along with the original copy of the card) mentioned during your press conference on August 2, 2025, so that a thorough investigation can be conducted,” stated the ERO.
The letter, dated August 3, referenced Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks made during the press conference on August 2, 2025, regarding the absence of names in the draft electoral list published based on the eligibility date of July 1, 2025.