New Delhi: The Election Commission has announced its plan to resolve the decades-long issue of duplicate EPIC numbers within the next three months.
This decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of India’s Electoral Rolls, which represent the world’s largest database of electors, with over 99 crore registered voters.
The Commission’s annual Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise, conducted every October to December, ensures regular updates to the electoral rolls.
The final rolls for the latest SSR, initiated in August 2024, were published in January 2025 after a participatory and transparent process involving Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and political parties.
Draft rolls were made publicly accessible, allowing for the resolution of claims and objections before finalisation.
Despite these measures, the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers persists due to errors in the allocation of series when EPIC numbers were introduced in 2000.
While sample investigations have confirmed that electors with duplicate EPIC numbers are genuine, the problem arises from incorrect series allocations across states and UTs, which went undetected as these regions independently managed their databases.
To address this, the Commission plans to assign unique national EPIC numbers to all electors with duplicate entries.
This initiative will ensure both current and future voters receive unique identifiers, enhancing the accuracy of the electoral database.
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The SSR process underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency.
At the booth level, BLOs conduct house-to-house verifications, while political parties appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to scrutinise electoral rolls.
Any discrepancies are addressed through a multi-tiered appeal process, with aggrieved individuals able to file appeals with District Magistrates or Chief Electoral Officers as needed.
The Commission’s efforts to modernize and streamline electoral processes demonstrate its dedication to safeguarding the democratic framework of the country.
The resolution of the duplicate EPIC issue will mark a significant milestone in ensuring a robust and reliable electoral system.
