Trinamool Urges EC to Fix EPIC Errors Before Aadhaar Linkage
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Synopsis
The Trinamool Congress of West Bengal has requested the Election Commission to correct existing errors in EPIC cards prior to their linkage with Aadhaar cards. A memorandum presented to the Chief Election Commissioner raised significant concerns about this process.
Key Takeaways
- Trinamool Congress demands error correction in EPIC cards.
- Linking EPIC with Aadhaar should be optional.
- Concerns over election fraud highlighted by MPs.
- Call for physical verification of online registered voters.
- Unique ID for EPIC cards is sought by Trinamool.
Kolkata/New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) The ruling Trinamool Congress of West Bengal has urged the Election Commission to address the current inaccuracies associated with EPIC cards prior to associating them with Aadhaar cards.
A group of Trinamool representatives from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met with the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, presenting a memorandum that posed various inquiries regarding the connection of EPIC cards to Aadhaar cards.
The foremost query was whether the linking of EPIC cards to Aadhaar cards is optional, and the reason behind the commission's request for permission from the Union government to make this linking optional.
It also questioned why the commission refrained from contesting the Union government's rejection of the proposal in court. Furthermore, the memorandum inquired about the total number of EPIC cards already verified by the electoral body.
Prominent Trinamool figure and four-time MP Saugata Roy stated that the party is firmly opposed to the linking of EPIC and Aadhaar cards at this point.
"A delegation of our party MPs brought this issue to the attention of the Chief Election Commissioner. There have been numerous instances of fraud involving both EPIC and Aadhaar cards previously. Initially, we demand an error-free electoral list. Our leadership will persist in our campaign until our requests are fulfilled," he asserted.
Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Ritabrata Banerjee expressed that the party's leadership is vehemently against the EPIC-Aadhaar linking initiative. "The Union government is stifling any discourse on EPIC discrepancies out of fear. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised the significant concern of multiple voters sharing the same EPIC numbers. Thus, we believe that this new EPIC-Aadhaar linking initiative is a perilous scheme for a broader conspiracy," Banerjee stated.
Last month, the Trinamool party insisted that the ECI provide a "Unique ID" for EPIC cards in alignment with those in Aadhaar cards and passports. Additionally, the Trinamool leadership also called for physical verification for voters registered online.
