The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced plans to eliminate duplicate Voter IDs Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers within three months. This decision comes as part of efforts to improve the electoral process, including discussions to link voter IDs with Aadhaar numbers.
To encourage more people to vote, especially in urban areas where turnout is low, the ECI plans to set up polling stations in high-rise buildings and residential colonies. They also aim to provide digital training for nearly one crore election officials and hold 5,000 meetings with all political parties to strengthen the election process.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has directed that regular meetings be held by election officials across the country to address any concerns raised by political parties. This initiative is expected to be completed nationwide by March 31, 2025.
The ECI is also offering training for political party representatives on electoral laws, including how to handle claims and objections regarding the voter list. Political parties are invited to share their suggestions about the election process until April 30, 2025.
Recently, a group of Trinamool Congress MPs met with the ECI regarding concerns about bogus voters in West Bengal and requested information about duplicate EPIC numbers. With over 7.5 crore voters in West Bengal, the upcoming elections will be crucial, especially since the Trinamool Congress won a significant majority in the last assembly elections.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the ECI for not sharing electoral rolls for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and raised concerns about potential issues with bogus voters being added to the list.
These steps reflect the ECI’s commitment to enhancing transparency and participation in elections while addressing concerns about voter registration and integrity.
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