The controversy surrounding duplicate EPIC numbers in Bihar has deepened, with the wife of CPI (ML) MP Sudama Prasad from Ara also found to possess two voter identification cards. This follows the initial controversy involving Tejashwi Yadav, whose case is currently under investigation by the Election Commission. The commission has requested the original copies of both of Yadav’s IDs. Yadav’s valid EPIC number is RAB0456228; the other, RAB2916120, has no record.
The draft voter list was released by the Election Commission of India on August 1. Parties and voters have until September 1 to request additions or deletions to the list. The final voter list is scheduled to be published on September 30. The Election Commission aims to prevent any eligible voter from being excluded from the final list and has removed 6.5 million names under the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).