EC Issues Notice to Prashant Kishor Over Alleged Dual Voter Enrolment in Bihar and West Bengal

New Delhi, Oct 29: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice to Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, seeking his explanation over allegations of dual voter registration in Bihar and West Bengal, in an apparent violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

According to the notice, Kishor’s name reportedly appears on the electoral rolls of both states. He is registered as a voter in the Kargahar Assembly constituency in Bihar’s Rohtas district and also in the Bhabanipur constituency of West Bengal.

The report cited by the ECI claims that Kishor’s West Bengal address 121 Kalighat Road, Kolkata is the same as the Trinamool Congress headquarters, while he also remains listed in the Kargahar Assembly segment under the Sasaram parliamentary constituency in Bihar.

The Commission has asked Kishor to respond within three days, warning that, if confirmed, dual voter registration could lead to penal consequences, including imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both, under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

In his response, Kishor maintained that his details are publicly available and questioned the efficacy of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive. He further challenged the poll body to arrest him if any law had been violated.

The controversy has surfaced as the ECI intensifies its voter list verification efforts ahead of upcoming elections. The nationwide SIR drive aims to ensure the accuracy and transparency of electoral rolls across all states.

The notice has triggered sharp political reactions in Bihar, with several parties demanding a full inquiry into the alleged duplication. If proven, the case could have serious legal and reputational implications for Kishor and his political outfit, Jan Suraaj.