Ansarullah Bangla Team member found with dual Voter IDs in Murshidabad

A significant issue has arisen in Murshidabad, where a resident was found to have voter IDs registered in two different constituencies, Hariharpara and Kandi. This discovery has triggered an official inquiry into voter list discrepancies. Following the discovery, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office of West Bengal requested a detailed report from the Murshidabad District Election Officer and District Magistrate. The report has been submitted and is under review by the concerned authorities to assess the extent of the issue and determine appropriate actions.

This case is part of a broader concern over voter list irregularities in West Bengal. In recent months, reports of multiple voter registrations have surfaced in various districts, especially in areas where arrests of individuals linked to militant activities have been reported. Allegations of document forgery involving essential identification documents, including Aadhaar cards, passports, and voter IDs, have also been raised. These incidents have raised concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral roll and the potential for fraudulent registrations.

The Election Commission is currently overseeing a comprehensive revision of the voter lists across the state. District authorities have been instructed to adhere strictly to the Commission's guidelines and investigate any discrepancies or doubts about the legitimacy of a voter’s registration. Election Commission sources have emphasized that authorities must conduct thorough checks if any suspicion arises regarding a voter’s inclusion. However, officials have acknowledged the challenges posed by forged documents, which are often difficult to detect, making it harder to ensure the accuracy of the voter lists.

The issue has drawn attention from political parties, with the opposition calling for a reevaluation of the voter lists in light of these irregularities. However, as of now, no formal complaint or petition has been filed with the CEO office by any political party, including the BJP, regarding the presence of multiple voter IDs or fraudulent registrations. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has emphasized that the responsibility for maintaining the accuracy of the voter lists lies with the Block Development Officers (BDO) and district magistrates, urging them to ensure thorough verification of all voter registrations.