The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha for allegedly possessing two Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), a violation of electoral norms. The action follows a complaint filed with the EC, which led to an investigation revealing that Sinha, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MLA from Lakhisarai, held duplicate voter IDs registered in his name. The EC has given Sinha until May 27 to submit a written explanation, cautioning that failure to respond may result in further legal action.
Sinha, who won the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections from Lakhisarai, reportedly obtained his second voter ID card in 2022, according to EC records. The duplicate card was flagged during a routine check, prompting the poll body to seek clarity. In his initial response, Sinha claimed he had applied for a replacement card after his original EPIC contained errors but was unaware that both cards remained active. The EC, however, emphasized that holding multiple voter IDs is a breach of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which permits only one EPIC per individual. Exceptions are made only if the previous card is surrendered or declared invalid by authorities.
The controversy has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who accuse Sinha of undermining electoral integrity. Senior officials clarified that while procedural errors during card updates may occur, public representatives are expected to adhere strictly to EC protocols. The commission has also directed local electoral officers in Lakhisarai to review the case and submit a report. If found guilty, Sinha could face penalties ranging from a nominal fine to disqualification, though legal experts suggest the former is more likely for a first-time offense.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining error-free electoral rolls and raises questions about accountability among elected officials. Sinha’s office has yet to issue a formal statement but maintains the issue stems from an administrative oversight. With Bihar’s political landscape already charged ahead of upcoming elections, the case has drawn significant public attention, underscoring the EC’s role in enforcing transparency in the democratic process.
