Election Commission Sends Notice to Prashant Kishor Over Dual Voter Registration in Bihar and West Bengal

In a development that has stirred political debate ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a formal notice to Jan Suraaj Party founder and political strategist Prashant Kishor for allegedly being registered as a voter in two states—Bihar and West Bengal. The notice, served by the district election officer of Rohtas, Bihar, cites a potential violation under Section 17 and Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which prohibits dual voter enrollment.

According to official records, Kishor’s name appears on the electoral rolls of the Kargahar Assembly constituency in Bihar’s Rohtas district and also in the Bhabanipur constituency of West Bengal, with the latter address listed as 121 Kalighat Road, Kolkata—coincidentally the headquarters of the Trinamool Congress.

📜 Timeline of Events

Date	Event Description
Oct 28, 2025	Notice issued by Rohtas district election officer
Oct 29, 2025	Kishor responds publicly, challenges ECI’s action
Nov 1, 2025	Deadline for Kishor’s formal reply to the notice

The notice demands a response within three days, failing which further legal action may be initiated.

⚖️ Legal Framework and Allegation

Legal Provision	Description
Section 17, RPA 1950	Prohibits registration in more than one constituency
Section 31, RPA 1950	Penalizes false declaration in electoral rolls
Alleged Violation	Dual registration in Bihar and West Bengal

If proven, the violation could lead to disqualification from electoral rolls and potential legal proceedings.

🗣️ Prashant Kishor’s Response

Statement Highlights	Context
“Arrest me if I’ve broken the law”	Dismissed the notice as intimidation tactic
“I’ve been a voter in Konar since 2019”	Defended his Bihar registration
“Spent two years in Kolkata”	Justified presence in West Bengal rolls
“EC’s SIR drive has failed”	Criticized the Special Intensive Revision process

Kishor has accused the ECI of targeting him politically and questioned the transparency of the voter revision exercise.

🧭 Political Reactions Across Bihar

Party/Leader	Reaction Summary
RJD	Called for impartial investigation
BJP	Demanded accountability and legal compliance
Congress	Criticized EC’s timing and selective targeting
Jan Suraaj Party	Alleged political vendetta against Kishor

The issue has become a flashpoint in Bihar’s pre-election narrative, with parties using it to sharpen their campaign messaging.

🗳️ Voter Registration Details

State	Constituency	Address Listed
Bihar	Kargahar (Rohtas)	Konar village
West Bengal	Bhabanipur (Kolkata)	121 Kalighat Road, TMC HQ

The overlap has raised questions about verification protocols and electoral roll management.

🔍 Election Commission’s Justification

EC’s Position	Explanation
Based on media reports	Triggered by news coverage of dual registration
Routine verification	Part of SIR drive across 12 states
Legal obligation	Required to act under RPA provisions

Officials maintain that the notice is procedural and not politically motivated.

🧠 Expert Commentary

Legal Expert	Opinion Summary
Election Law Scholar	“Dual registration is a serious procedural lapse”
Political Analyst	“Timing raises questions about EC’s neutrality”
Civil Rights Advocate	“Transparency and due process must be ensured”

Experts agree that while the law must be upheld, the process must be free from political bias.

📌 Conclusion

The Election Commission’s notice to Prashant Kishor over alleged dual voter registration has added a new layer of complexity to Bihar’s political landscape. As Kishor prepares his formal response, the issue underscores the importance of electoral integrity and the need for transparent verification mechanisms. Whether this controversy escalates into legal action or is resolved through clarification remains to be seen—but it has already become a defining moment in the run-up to the 2025 elections.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements. It does not constitute legal advice or political endorsement. All views expressed are for informational purposes only.