New Delhi: The Election Commission has clarified that possession of more than one voter ID card amounts to a criminal offense under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Citing Section 31 of the Act, the EC stated that violators may face up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both. Individuals holding duplicate cards have been instructed to retain only one and surrender the others. Those enrolled in more than one constituency must apply through Form-7 for deletion, with the facility also available online.
The clarification comes in the wake of nationwide uproar following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of large-scale vote manipulation, accusing the BJP and the Election Commission of collusion.
Amid this row, Congress senior leader and Media & Publicity Cell Chairman Pawan Khera has come under scrutiny after a complaint alleged he possessed two voter ID cards. The EC has issued notices to him. Reacting, Khera criticized election officials, claiming he had earlier applied for deletion but the Commission failed to act, leaving his name on both rolls.