The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday firmly refuted Tejashwi Yadav’s claim that his name was missing from the draft electoral rolls.
The poll body called the allegation ‘baseless’ and released official proof showing his name and voter details intact.
Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, had earlier claimed at a press conference that he could not find his name in the draft rolls released as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of assembly polls.
He connected his phone to a large screen and demonstrated an online EPIC search that returned ‘no records found’.
“Now look! I am not registered as a voter. This disqualifies me from contesting elections. Perhaps, I cease to be treated as a citizen,” Yadav said.
ECI Verifies Valid EPIC Numbers from 2015 and 2020
In response, the ECI released a copy of the draft rolls displaying Yadav’s name at serial number 416, along with his photograph and full details.
Officials confirmed that his valid EPIC number — RAB0456228 — used during the 2015 and 2020 elections, remains active and appears in the updated rolls published on August 1.
On the other hand, a second EPIC number — RAB2916120 — used by Yadav in his demonstration was found invalid.
“More than ten years of records have been checked. There is no trace of this second EPIC number. It is likely it was never issued officially,” an ECI source said, adding that they are examining whether the number is forged.
Yadav also alleged procedural lapses. He said the booth-level officer who visited his residence failed to issue a receipt after collecting his filled form.
“I even clicked a picture while submitting it,” he claimed.
He further raised concerns about access to the process.
“Would you expect someone living outside Bihar to physically verify their name? If someone like me is affected, what chance does a common citizen have?”
He further added that even an IAS couple had reportedly found their names missing.
The Tejashwi Yadav controversy has sparked a debate on voter data accuracy, especially during digital verification drives. The ECI maintains that the system is sound and any issues raised are being investigated.
Also Read: BJP President Polls In Final Phase; May Follow Vice-Presidential Election
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
