Issue of Duplication in Voter Identification Number

Why in News?

Voter Identification Number: The Chief Minister of West Bengal has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the voter list, claiming that multiple voters have been assigned the same Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. The Election Commission has attributed this issue to technical errors that existed before the implementation of ERONET and has assured a resolution within three months.

Voter Identification Number: What is an EPIC Number (Electoral Photo Identity Card Number)?

To ensure transparency and credibility in India’s electoral process, the EPIC number (Electors Photo Identity Card Number) plays a crucial role. It is a 10-digit alphanumeric code issued to every registered voter in India.

• Introduced in 1993 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, its primary objective is to prevent voter impersonation and electoral fraud. The EPIC number begins with a three-letter code followed by a seven-digit number. Additionally, each Assembly Constituency is assigned a Functional Unique Serial Number (FUSN).
• The EPIC number serves as proof of identity and citizenship for an individual and can also be used as residence and age proof. During elections, it ensures the unique identification of a voter, allowing them to vote only at their registered polling station.
• Each EPIC number is linked to the voter’s photograph, constituency, and polling station details, reducing the chances of electoral discrepancies. It is usually found in the top right corner of the Voter ID card and functions similarly to the Elector Identification Number in older voter cards.
• However, merely possessing an EPIC number does not determine voting eligibility. The generation and management of EPIC numbers are handled through ERONET (Electoral Roll Management System), which supports multiple languages and scripts.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that having the same EPIC number does not allow a voter to vote multiple times, as demographic details, polling stations, and constituencies are different across states.

Why is the EPIC Number System Necessary?

In a vast democracy like India, a robust and effective voter identification system is essential to ensure fair and transparent elections. The EPIC number system was implemented with the goal of securing voter identity and preventing electoral fraud.

• Preventing Fake Voting: Before the introduction of a strong voter identification system, elections faced issues like duplicate registrations and bogus voting. Some voters were registered in multiple locations, raising concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. The EPIC number assigns a unique identity to each voter, ensuring that one person can vote only from a single registered location.
• Ensuring Transparency and Credibility: The EPIC number helps organize and digitize the electoral roll systematically. Each voter receives a unique alphanumeric EPIC number, making it easier to detect any irregularities in voter registration.
• Digitization of Voter Data: With the introduction of the EPIC system, the Election Commission implemented ERONET, a digital electoral roll management system. This automated system streamlines voter registration, transfers, and corrections, making the process more efficient and error-free.

ERONET System for Issuing EPIC Numbers

Earlier, voter list management was based on traditional paper records, leading to data errors and duplicate registrations. To address these issues, the Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced the ERONET (Electoral Roll Management System) in 2017. This web-based digital platform streamlines the registration, modification, transfer, and deletion processes, making them faster and more transparent.

• New Voter Registration: Citizens who turn 18 years old can apply for voter registration online or offline. After submitting Form 6, the election officer verifies the data through ERONET. Once verification is successful, an EPIC number is issued, and the voter’s name is added to the electoral roll.
• Transfer Process: If a voter relocates to a different constituency, they must submit Form 8 for transfer. The ERONET system digitally removes the voter’s name from the old constituency and registers them in the new one.
• Corrections and Deletion: ERONET is also used for correcting errors, removing deceased voters, or voluntary deletion of names. The system has made these processes fully automated and transparent.
• As part of digitalization, the Election Commission has introduced a digital version of the EPIC card, which voters can store in DigiLocker. Voters no longer need to carry a physical voter ID card and can instead show their digital EPIC on a smartphone or other electronic devices.

Issues and Challenges Related to EPIC Numbers

While the EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) number is a crucial part of India’s electoral system, its implementation has faced technical and administrative challenges, leading to several voter-related issues.

• Duplicate EPIC Numbers: Each voter must have a unique EPIC number, but in some cases, the same number is assigned to multiple voters. This can lead to voters being denied their right to vote if their photographs do not match. Duplicate EPIC numbers often arise due to errors in voter registration.
• EPIC Number Controversy:  In some cases, the same EPIC number has been assigned to voters in different states. If the photographs do not match, the EPIC number may be invalidated, potentially disenfranchising legitimate voters. Opposition parties have raised concerns, alleging this could be a deliberate strategy to suppress certain voter groups.
  • When a voter receives their EPIC number for the first time, it is assigned as a unique number.
  • If a voter loses their EPIC card or applies for a replacement, the original EPIC number remains the same and is not changed.

Election Commission’s Response to EPIC Number Controversy

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers and errors in the electoral roll seriously. To resolve these concerns, the ECI has announced significant reforms in the EPIC system.

• The ECI will upgrade the ERONET platform to ERONET 2.0, ensuring a permanent solution to duplicate EPIC numbers.
• ERONET 2.0 will be a more advanced digital system, managing voter data more accurately and ensuring that each EPIC number remains completely unique.
• Voters affected by duplicate EPIC numbers will be issued new, unique EPIC numbers to ensure their voting rights remain unaffected.

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