The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a formal notice to political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, after it was discovered that he is allegedly registered as a voter in two different states — Bihar and West Bengal. The move could have significant legal and political implications as Kishor prepares for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Violation of the Representation of the People Act
According to a report by The Indian Express, Kishor’s name appears on electoral rolls in both states. In West Bengal, he is registered from 121, Kalighat Road, Kolkata, the official address of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) office in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Bhabanipur constituency.
At the same time, his name is listed under 209–Kargahar Assembly Constituency in Rohtas district, Bihar, with voter ID number IUJ1323718.
The ECI notice cites Section 17 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which clearly states that “no person shall be registered as a voter in more than one constituency at the same time.”
Violating this provision is punishable under Section 31 of the same Act, which empowers the poll body to initiate action, including removal of names and potential prosecution.
“You are requested to clarify within three days regarding your name being registered in more than one constituency,”
the ECI notice reads.
Addresses Listed in Both States
In Bihar, Kishor is registered under the Sasaram Parliamentary Constituency, with his polling station listed as Madhya Vidyalay, Konar, his paternal village.
In West Bengal, he is enrolled as a voter under St. Helen’s School, B. Ranishankari Lane — the same area associated with his former professional work during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections when he served as a key political consultant for the TMC.
Response from Kishor’s Team
A senior member of Kishor’s team told The Indian Express that the strategist shifted his voter registration back to Bihar after completing his work with the TMC. The aide claimed that Kishor had also applied for deletion of his Bengal voter entry, though the current status of that request remains unclear.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, has not yet commented on the matter.
TMC’s Local Reaction
Kajari Banerjee, local councillor of Ward 73 and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s sister-in-law, confirmed that the address in question — 121, Kalighat Road — is indeed the official TMC headquarters.
“He (Kishor) used to visit and stay in that building during his work with the TMC. I’m not sure whether he enrolled as a voter from here or not,”
she said.
Legal and Political Implications
Under Indian election law, dual registration is strictly prohibited, and the ECI has the power to remove duplicate entries or take penal action if necessary. While such instances are not uncommon, the notice gains prominence given Kishor’s high-profile political journey and his party’s growing presence in Bihar.
The timing is also significant — Kishor has been actively touring Bihar under his “Jan Suraaj Yatra”, a grassroots campaign aimed at connecting with voters ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
As the matter unfolds, the ECI’s next move will be closely watched, with political observers saying it could set an important precedent in enforcing voter registration integrity among public figures.
