Muzaffarpur Mayor and Family Under Scrutiny for Duplicate Voter IDs

The Election Commission of India has issued notices to Muzaffarpur Mayor Nirmala Devi and her brothers-in-law over allegations of possessing duplicate voter IDs. This action follows claims made by opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, who accused the Commission of electoral malpractice. The Mayor's name appears on two separate voter lists, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process. The trio has been asked to clarify their registrations by a specified deadline, as scrutiny over voter ID discrepancies intensifies in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2025, 17:10 IST

Election Commission Takes Action

In Patna, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to Nirmala Devi, the Mayor of Muzaffarpur, along with her two brothers-in-law, Manoj Kumar and Dilip Kumar, due to allegations of holding multiple Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.

This move comes after Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition, publicly revealed their names earlier in the day.

The ECI's statement indicated that the trio was registered at two distinct polling booths within the 94-Muzaffarpur Assembly Constituency during the draft electoral roll for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025.

Nirmala Devi's name is recorded at Booth No. 153, Sl. No. 664, EPIC No. REM1251917, and Booth No. 257, Sl. No. 618, EPIC No. GSB1835164, with both entries predating the current SIR.

Manoj Kumar is listed at Booth No. 153, Sl. No. 666, EPIC No. REM1251891, and Booth No. 257, Sl. No. 620, EPIC No. GSB0852996, while Dilip Kumar's name appears at Booth No. 153, Sl. No. 665, EPIC No. REM1958024, and Booth No. 257, Sl. No. 617, EPIC No. GSB1824440.

They have been instructed to provide clarifications to the Electoral Registration Officer by 5:00 PM on August 16, 2025, after which further actions will be determined.

Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav accused the Election Commission of 'robbing votes' under the influence of the BJP.

He highlighted that the Mayor's name appears on two different voter lists within the same constituency, associated with two distinct EPIC cards and differing ages.

Additionally, he claimed that both of her brothers-in-law also possess duplicate registrations with different IDs.

Tejashwi Yadav also mentioned that the RJD raised concerns regarding two EPIC numbers linked to Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, which led to the Election Commission issuing a notice to him.