Tejashwi's name is in Bihar draft electoral rolls, EC looking into possible fraud: Report

Tejashwi Yadav

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has dismissed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s allegation that his name was missing from the draft electoral roll or that his EPIC number had been altered. According to ECI sources, Yadav’s name remains in the Draft Electoral Rolls published under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, and there is no record of the second EPIC number he claimed to possess.

Tejashwi had recently alleged that his name had been removed from the voter list and that his EPIC (Elector’s Photo Identity Card) number had been changed. “If my EPIC number could be changed, how many others could face the same issue?” he questioned, calling it a conspiracy to suppress voters.

However, the ECI clarified that Tejashwi’s original EPIC number — RAB0456228, used during his 2020 election nomination — remains unchanged and active in the draft rolls. His name appears at serial number 416 at polling station number 204, located at the Library Building of Bihar Animal Science University in Patna.

Patna District Magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan S.M. also confirmed that Yadav's name remains on the list and has not been removed. “He was earlier listed at polling station number 171, serial number 481, and now appears at polling station 204, serial number 416,” he said.

On the other hand, the second EPIC number Yadav mentioned — RAB2916120 — has been found to be non-existent. “More than ten years of records have been reviewed. It is likely the second EPIC was never officially issued. An investigation is underway to determine whether it is a forged document,” sources said.

Tejashwi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, had showcased the alleged discrepancy at a press conference and accused the Commission of failing to maintain transparency. He further claimed that around 65 lakh names had been arbitrarily removed from the new draft voter list released on August 1.

Responding to the larger issue, the ECI clarified that the public has a full month to file claims and objections. “No name will be removed from the draft voter list without a valid reason. The list has been shared with political parties, and the revision is ongoing,” the Commission posted on X.