Election Commission Sends Notice to Prashant Kishor for Having Voter IDs in Two States

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sent a notice to political strategist and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor for being registered as a voter in two states, Bihar and West Bengal.

The move has sparked political attention, especially considering Kishor's past association with the Trinamool Congress during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Kishor Listed as Voter in Both Bengal and Bihar

According to reports, Kishor's West Bengal address is mentioned as 121 Kalighat Road, which is also the Trinamool Congress headquarters in Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's constituency. His polling booth is listed as St. Helen School on B Ranishankari Lane.

In Bihar, Kishor is enrolled as a voter in the Kargahar Assembly constituency under the Sasaram parliamentary seat. His polling station is registered at Madhya Vidyalay, Konar in Rohtas district, which is his paternal village, as per the report.

Application to Cancel Bengal Voter Card Filed

Sources close to Prashant Kishor have said that he has applied to cancel his West Bengal voter card. However, they have not shared any update about the current status or approval of the application.

So far, neither Prashant Kishor nor Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal has issued any official statement regarding this matter or the notice sent by the Election Commission.

Legal Position on Dual Voter Registration

The Representation of the People Act, 1950, clearly states under Sections 17 and 18 that "a person cannot be enrolled as a voter in more than one place in the same constituency or in more than one constituency."

If a voter shifts residence, they must update their records by submitting Form 8 to the Election Commission of India. This form allows for correction or shifting of enrolment and ensures that an individual's previous voter registration is removed before being added to a new constituency.