Did ECI Serve Notice to LJP(RV) MP Veena Devi and Her Husband Over Double Voter ID Claims?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ECI issues notices to Veena Devi and Dinesh Singh.
- Allegations involve dual voter ID cards.
- Responses are due by August 16.
- Tejashwi Yadav raises concerns about political favoritism.
- Veena Devi cites bureaucratic errors as the cause.
Patna, Aug 14 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP, Veena Devi, and her husband, JD(U) MLC Dinesh Singh, regarding allegations of possessing dual voter identity cards on Thursday.
They have been instructed to provide their responses by 5 P.M. on August 16.
This controversy has ignited discussions within Bihar’s political landscape after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed that the couple's names are listed in the electoral rolls of two different Assembly constituencies — Bada Daud village in Sahebganj (their ancestral home) and Muzaffarpur-94 (their urban residence).
The issuance of two separate EPIC cards to the same person breaches the Election Commission's guidelines, which stipulate that a voter’s name can only be registered in one constituency.
The ECI has stated that being registered in two locations is considered a punishable offense.
Tejashwi Yadav took to social media to draw attention to this violation, accusing the ECI of protecting NDA leaders.
“While the Opposition leaders face immediate scrutiny, those from the ruling party seem to be shielded,” he remarked.
In light of the growing controversy surrounding alleged dual voter identity cards, Veena Devi has defended her position, asserting that her name's presence in two lists resulted from bureaucratic delays rather than any malicious intent.
“Post-marriage, my name was registered in the urban voter list of Muzaffarpur. Later, while participating in the Zilla Parishad elections, my name was added to the village list. Since then, I’ve consistently voted from the village, using that constituency’s EPIC number since 2001,” Veena Devi explained.
She noted that she had previously petitioned the Booth Level Officer (BLO) to remove her name from the urban list, but “no action was taken.” She intends to resume this procedure.
When questioned about Tejashwi Yadav’s allegations, Veena Devi dismissed them as mere political maneuvers.
“Opposition leaders are tasked with targeting ruling party members,” she stated.
The issue of dual voter registration has become a significant political flashpoint in Bihar.
This matter was initially brought up concerning Tejashwi Yadav, followed by similar allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Muzaffarpur Mayor Nirmala Devi.
The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to taking stringent measures against those found breaching voter registration regulations.