- Election Commission issues notice over dual voter registration
- Bihar and Bengal voter rolls show Kishor listed in both states
The Election Commission has found that Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jana Swaraj Party, holds voting rights in two different states—Bihar and West Bengal. The development has raised serious questions about the legality of dual voter registration under the Representation of the People Act.
According to reports, the District Election Office in Rohtas, Bihar, issued a notice to Prashant Kishor on Tuesday, asking him to respond within three days. Officials said that maintaining voter registration in two separate constituencies is a violation of the election law. The notice directs Kishor to clarify how his name continues to appear on the electoral rolls of both states.
Records indicate that Kishor is registered as a voter under the Kargahar Assembly seat in Bihar while also being listed in the Bhawanipur Assembly constituency of West Bengal. His address in the West Bengal electoral rolls is recorded as 121, Kalighat Road—an area which also serves as the headquarters of the ruling Trinamool Congress Party. The Bhawanipur seat is notably represented by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Prashant Kishor had previously served as the Trinamool Congress’s chief strategist during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, helping craft the party’s campaign strategy that led to a major electoral victory. The revelation of his dual voter registration has now become a political flashpoint in both states.
According to Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, a person is legally entitled to vote in only one constituency.
Violating this provision can attract penal action. JD(U) MLC and official spokesperson Neeraj Kumar expressed suspicion that Kishor may have registered in Bengal to keep open the possibility of being nominated as a Rajya Sabha member from the state.
The Election Commission’s inquiry is ongoing, and officials have said further action will depend on Kishor’s response to the notice.
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