'EPIC' row escalates: BJD demands discussion on voter ID discrepancy in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: All seven BJD MPs have submitted notices seeking suspension of normal business of the Rajya Sabha to immediately discuss the issue of multiple Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) having identical numbers, sources said.

The BJD MPs had walked out with other Opposition MPs on Monday after notices by Congress and Trinamool Congress MPs seeking an immediate debate on the issue was rejected.

The Opposition MPs walked out after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to raise the issue.

Sources said Opposition parties are coordinating with each other at formal and informal level and BJD too has joined the issue strongly by drafting in all its Rajya Sabha MPs to submit notices seeking discussion.

BJD floor leader Sasmit Patra told DH the EPIC issue is the latest anamoly found with regard to the electoral process and the party is clear about raising it vociferously in Parliament.

He said the Election Commission itself has now admitted about voter cards having identical numbers and multiple cards having same number poses a "serious risk" that could lead to denial of voting rights.

He said the EC should also provide details of the total number of cards with identical numbers.

Patra also recalled that in December last year the BJD had approached the EC raising questions about the conduct of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, claiming that people are “baffled” by the discrepancies that have emerged, including the mismatch in votes polled and counted in a booth among other things.

The party had also raised the issue of huge difference between votes polled in a Lok Sabha seat and Assembly seat when simultaneous elections are held and how there could be a huge gap between the estimated voting percentage and final turnout figures.

BJD was routed in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections held this year. It did not win a single seat in Lok Sabha polls while in state elections, it lost to BJP 78-51, losing power for the first time since 1999.