TMC MPs flay govt for not discussing voter id duplication row

New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs on Thursday accused the government of ignoring the demand for a discussion on the issue of duplication of voter ID numbers in Parliament, saying the matter goes to "the very heart of our democracy".

The TMC, which had furnished a list of voter ID cards from different states with the same Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number, along with some other opposition parties has been seeking a debate on the issue in both Houses of Parliament.

Talking to reporters in Parliament complex, TMC's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Sagarika Ghose said her party as well as several other opposition parties have been giving notices seeking a discussion on the issue.

Stressing that it was a serious matter which needed to be discussed by Parliament, she said, "For the last few days, we have been giving notices demanding a discussion on the issue of duplicate EPIC cards. The government has assured us that they will allow a discussion. The Chairman has assured us he will allow a discussion... But every day, on some pretext or the other, this discussion is not allowed". 

"When you have already signalled your willingness to have a discussion on duplicate EPIC cards, why is the discussion not being allowed?" she said, asserting that the issue goes to "the very heart of our democracy".

"It is about a clean and fair electoral roll, and, therefore, a clean and fair poll. It concerns every voter, citizen, and entire nation," she said. 

Ghose said opposition parties are on board over the demand for a discussion, and said, "on some pretext or other the discussion is not being allowed".

TMC leaders have been giving notices to take up a discussion on the duplicate EPIC number issue, but none have been accepted so far. The party had urged the Chairman to allow a discussion under Rule 176, which is a short duration discussion. 

On Thursday, MPs Mohammed Nadimul Haque, Sagrika Ghose, Dola Sen, Ritabrata Banerjee and Saket Gokhale had submitted notices under Rule 267 demanding discussion on the issue. 

Banerjee said the issue is of crucial importance for holding free and fair elections. 

"We have been giving notices that there should be a discussion on the EPIC issue. Free and fair elections are not possible if there are duplicate EPIC cards. It is a threat to democracy. Opposition has been seeking a discussion in Parliament, but the demand is being ignored," he said.

The issue of voter-ID cards in different states having duplicate numbers was raised by West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on February 27.

The Election Commission has said the identical EPIC numbers or series were allotted to some electors from different states and Union territories due to a "decentralised and manual mechanism" being followed prior to shifting of the electoral roll database of all states to the ERONET (Electoral Roll Management) platform.

The EC has also said it will resolve the issue within three months.