In Rajya Sabha, Trinamool calls for short discussion on duplicate EPICs next week

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: Sansad TV

The Opposition on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) paused its protest in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of duplication of elector photo identity cards (EPIC) and the delimitation exercise for a day. The Trinamool Congress called for a short discussion on the voter ID issue next week.

In a sign of thaw between the Union government and the Opposition in the Upper House, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Kumar Jha presented his concerns on the voter IDs during the Zero Hour, when members can raise issues of national importance.

In a democracy, it is not enough to have regular elections, it is equally essential that the body conducting these elections appears to be fair, Mr. Jha said.

“This [Parliament] is the temple of democracy and democracy thrives because of elections. If the procedure and process of election is compromised and there is a smell of fraud therein, then nothing will be left,” Mr. Jha said.

He said out that each EPIC issued by the Election Commission carried a 10-digit number. The first three digits of the number signified the Assembly constituency. Each constituency is assigned a unique three-digit number. It is a matter of concern that voters from different States have the same number, he said.

Take corrective measures

Mr. Jha demanded that the EC determine the extent of the problem, investigate from where the fraud started, and take urgent corrective measures. He said the EC should issue a separate list detailing voter deletions, new additions and modifications. “Whenever apprehensions are aired, they have to be addressed… Serious questions have to be answered and responded to in a serious manner,” Mr. Jha said.

Earlier, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari and Trinamool leader Derek O’Brien spoke on the issue.

Mr. O’ Brien said that since seven to eight Opposition parties wanted to discuss the voter identity card issue, the government should allow a discussion for a short duration on the issue next week. He also said that the Opposition was not in the House to disrupt the proceedings.

“There are at least seven or eight Opposition parties, why don’t you take up a discussion under Rule 176 (short duration) discussion. We are not here to disrupt the House,” Mr. O’Brien said.