Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, is under scrutiny following allegations of possessing two EPIC numbers. The Election Commission has taken notice, issuing a formal notice and requesting the original copies of his voter ID cards. This action is in response to claims and concerns surrounding the validity of two different EPIC numbers associated with Yadav. The commission’s investigation was prompted by the discrepancy between the EPIC number Yadav presented publicly and the official records.
Indian law prohibits an individual from holding more than one voter ID card, a violation punishable by the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Penalties for this offense can include imprisonment or fines. The Election Commission’s investigation aims to determine the veracity of the claims, with a finding of guilt potentially considered a serious electoral violation.
While Tejashwi’s valid EPIC number is recorded as RAB0456228, the Election Commission found no record of RAB2916120. Consequently, the commission has initiated legal proceedings by sending a notice and seeking the original voter ID cards. This situation has ignited political tensions in Bihar, particularly with the forthcoming assembly elections. The controversy began when Tejashwi disputed the inclusion of his name on the draft voter list.
During a press conference, Yadav presented the EPIC number RAB2916120. Upon verification, this number yielded a ‘no record found’ message. The Election Commission later confirmed Yadav’s name and voter details, referencing the official EPIC number RAB0456228, which was used in both the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections.
The Election Commission is investigating the matter further as it believes the second EPIC number may be fraudulent. Tejashwi has been asked to clarify the discrepancy regarding the RAB2916120 number. In response, Tejashwi has dismissed these claims as politically motivated, suggesting his EPIC number was altered.
The discovery of multiple EPIC numbers has drawn criticism from BJP and JDU leaders. The deputy chief minister of Bihar and a JDU leader have called it a violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. A BJP MP questioned how Tejashwi possessed two voter IDs, alleging attempts to mislead the public. The MP has stated that having two voter ID cards is a severe offense and that the card used in the 2020 election is the same as his current one.
As part of the first phase of Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in Bihar, a total of 7.24 crore voters have been recorded. Approximately 65 lakh names have been removed from the voter list, including deceased individuals, those who have relocated, and foreign nationals. According to the Election Commission, the state had a total of 7.89 crore voters as of June 24, 2025. The SVEEP initiative in Bihar began on June 24, 2025, with the first phase completing on July 26.