Election Commission clarifies concerns over duplicate EPIC numbers. What it means

The Election Commission (EC) has addressed concerns regarding voters in different states having identical Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers. Responding to social media posts and media reports, the EC clarified that while some electors may share the same EPIC number, their demographic details, Assembly Constituency, and polling booth remain distinct. Each voter can only cast their vote at their designated polling station in their respective state or union territory.
The Commission explained that the duplication occurred due to a decentralised and manual process used before the electoral roll database was integrated into the ERONET system. Some state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) offices assigned EPIC numbers with identical alphanumeric sequences, leading to the possibility of duplicate numbers in different constituencies across states and union territories.
To resolve this, the EC has decided to ensure that every registered elector receives a unique EPIC number. Any duplicate numbers identified will be rectified, and the ERONET 2.0 platform will be updated to streamline the process.
EPIC numbers serve as unique identifiers for registered voters in India, printed on voter ID cards and used for electoral rolls. They are crucial for maintaining transparency and preventing fraud in elections. Voters can use their EPIC number to verify their registration, polling station, and electoral roll status, and it also functions as proof of identity in government and financial transactions.