Election Body Asks Tejashwi Yadav to Turn Over Questionable Voter ID After Dual Card Claims
PATNA, Bihar, India – August 3, 2025: India’s Election Commission (ECI) has officially asked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to turn in a voter ID card that’s come under scrutiny. This request follows a public argument over possible issues with how he’s registered to vote. The ECI said that the voter ID number Tejashwi Yadav mentioned at a press conference on Saturday, August 2, isn’t actually in their system. This move comes after Yadav claimed his name was missing from early voting lists, which the ECI quickly shot down, leading to accusations that he has a second, unauthorized voter card.
The Claim of Two Voter IDs
The situation started when Yadav, who leads the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, said at a press conference that his name wasn’t on the draft voter lists that were released as part of the state’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR). He even showed an online search as proof and gave a voter ID number: RAB2916120.
But the ECI, through the local election officer for the Digha area of Patna, immediately responded. They said that Yadav’s name is indeed listed at number 416 at polling station 124, and his official voter ID number is RAB0456228.
Yogendra Yadav on Bihar Voter List Deletions
ECI’s Official Response and Order
In a formal letter to Yadav, the ECI clearly stated that they want him to hand over the actual voter ID card for a detailed look. Their initial checks found that the number Yadav quoted, RAB2916120, was never officially given out.
The ECI also pointed out that the voter ID number RAB0456228 is the same one Tejashwi Yadav used in his paperwork for the 2020 assembly elections. This directly goes against his public statement that the number had been changed and that his name wasn’t on the list.
Political Parties React
This disagreement has sparked a major political fight in Bihar, with the ruling NDA coalition heavily criticizing the RJD leader. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Yadav of having two voter ID numbers and questioned whether he has two different voter IDs.
Patra, along with other NDA leaders, hinted that this issue is part of a bigger plan by the opposition to discredit the Election Commission of India before the upcoming state elections. They’re calling for a case to be filed against Yadav for supposedly having two voter cards, which they say is a serious offense.
Background: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
All of this is happening during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, which is a large-scale effort by the ECI to update and clean up the state’s voter rolls. The SIR took place from June 24 to July 25, with the draft lists made public on August 1, 2025.
The goal of this revision is to remove voters who aren’t eligible, like those who have passed away, moved away, or are listed more than once. The ECI estimates that about 6.5 million names will likely be removed.
The Bigger Picture
The SIR itself has stirred up plenty of debate, with opposition parties, including the RJD, arguing that the process is faulty and meant to keep voters from voting. They argue that the goal is to selectively remove valid voters to benefit the ruling coalition.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing several petitions challenging the SIR. The court has said that the goal should be to include as many people as possible, rather than excluding them, and has questioned the documents being accepted for verification.
ECI’s View
The ECI has consistently stood by the SIR, stating that it’s a routine and needed step to ensure the voter rolls are accurate. The commission has said that no one’s name will be removed without proper notice and a written order from the local election officer.
The ECI has also set up a period for claims and objections from August 1 to September 1, allowing voters to apply to have a missing name added or to object to an incorrect listing. The commission insists that this open process allows for easy corrections.
Yadav’s Past Comments
This isn’t the first time Tejashwi Yadav has expressed concerns about the voting process. He’s previously questioned why so many voters were being removed and asked for a list of all excluded voters, broken down by voting location, with specific reasons for each removal.
He also urged the Supreme Court to take immediate action on the issue, calling it a serious threat to democracy. His recent press conference and the ECI’s subsequent actions have only made this conflict more intense.
What’s Next?
The ECI’s request for the physical voter card now puts the pressure on Tejashwi Yadav. His response and whether he complies with the request will be crucial.
The result of this investigation will likely have a big impact on the political scene in Bihar, possibly changing how the public sees both the RJD leader and the fairness of the Election Commission as the state’s important assembly elections approach. The ECI’s integrity and procedures are now being closely watched by everyone.
