EC Slaps Notice on BJP’s Nirmala Devi for Dual Voter ID Scandal

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued notices to Muzaffarpur Mayor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nirmala Devi and her two relatives, Manoj Kumar and Dilip Kumar, on Wednesday, over allegations of possessing dual voter ID cards in the same assembly constituency. The ECI has directed them to submit clarifications by August 16, 2025, as the controversy intensifies ahead of Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections.

The notices follow accusations by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who earlier in the day claimed that Devi, a prominent BJP figure and potential assembly poll candidate, holds two Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) with numbers REM1251917 and GSB1835164, listing different ages. Yadav also alleged that Devi’s relatives are similarly registered at two polling booths in the Muzaffarpur assembly constituency. “The Electoral Registration Officer for Muzaffarpur has sought their replies on the issue of possessing two voter ID cards,” an official confirmed.

Yadav escalated his attack, accusing the ECI of “colluding” with the BJP to manipulate Bihar’s voter lists through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, calling it a “dacoity of votes.” He claimed the poll body is enabling BJP leaders to secure multiple voter IDs to “steal” votes in the upcoming elections. The BJP dismissed these allegations as “false and misleading,” defending the integrity of the electoral process.

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The controversy, sparked by the draft electoral rolls published on August 1, has heightened political tensions in Bihar, with the opposition demanding greater transparency. The ECI’s actions and the responses from Devi and her relatives will be closely watched as the state gears up for a contentious electoral battle.

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