West Bengal

IIE Digital Desk : West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, has responded to the controversy surrounding his wife, Koel Majumdar, who is alleged to possess two voter identity cards from different districts. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated an investigation into the matter, following complaints that Koel's name appears in the voter rolls of both Jalpaiguri and South Dinajpur districts under different names and EPIC numbers.

The controversy emerged when it was discovered that Koel, previously registered as "Koel Choudhury" in Jalpaiguri, had applied for a new voter ID under the name "Koel Majumdar" after her marriage. However, instead of updating her existing voter information through Form 8, which is required when changing name or constituency, she allegedly submitted Form 6—meant for new voters. This led to her being listed in both districts, raising concerns about potential duplicate voting.

In response to the allegations, Dr. Majumdar clarified that his wife had previously resided in Jalpaiguri and had a voter ID in her maiden name. After their marriage, she moved to South Dinajpur and applied for a new voter ID under her married name. He emphasized that the issue arose due to procedural discrepancies and not intentional wrongdoing.

Dr. Majumdar further stated that his wife had already applied to have her name removed from the Jalpaiguri voter list to rectify the situation. He expressed confidence that the Election Commission would address the matter promptly and fairly.

The Election Commission has directed the District Magistrates of both Jalpaiguri and South Dinajpur to conduct an immediate verification and submit a report. The investigation will determine whether both IDs belong to the same individual. If confirmed, further action will be initiated under the Representation of the People Act, which prohibits duplicate voter registrations.

This incident highlights the importance of adhering to electoral procedures and the need for vigilance to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. As the investigation progresses, it is expected that the Election Commission will take appropriate measures to address any discrepancies and ensure compliance with electoral laws.