Poll panel tightens watch on voter IDs in West Bengal

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is directly monitoring and maintaining strict vigil over the disposal and issuance of EPIC-related documents by Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) in West Bengal. This follows allegations of duplicate EPIC cards made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the cancellation of 7,800 such cards in May alone. FIRs have been filed against three individuals, and assistant system manager of Kakdwip subdivision, Arun Gorain, has been suspended for "dereliction of duty" in South 24 Parganas district.

Highly placed sources in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, confirmed to ET that surveillance has been intensified following the allegations. FIRs were lodged against three persons, including Gorain, who was suspended on May 15 for alleged gross misconduct. He reportedly changed the mobile number of the AERO to his own in the system. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him based on a report by the District Election Officer. Gorain has since moved the Calcutta High Court.

Meanwhile, following the busting of several fake passport rackets in the state, the Election Commission is receiving a growing number of EPIC verification queries from the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) and police.


"For passport-related applications, we are now being asked to confirm complete EPIC information. In May, we received at least 25 such queries, and 80% of them turned out to be fake," a senior EC official told ET on condition of anonymity. "Daily, we receive multiple letters seeking verification of whether an EPIC was issued by us before a passport is granted," the official added.