During the drive, one Krishna Singh, with EPIC number WB/18/108/595, was found to be a resident of Bihar. He had been casting his votes for the last 20 years without actually possessing an EPIC card. Asked for an identity proof, he reportedly could show none to the EC team.

During the survey, the team was reportedly shadowed by a local team of youths, who identified themselves as belonging to the ruling party. They repeatedly told the team Singh’s identity proof had been misplaced and would be produced later. As per Singh’s submission, he used to cast his vote every election by taking the non-EPIC slips.

Gulmarg Begum, a resident of Srerampore in Garia, also had the same EPIC number. She too could not produce any identity proof. There were several other such instances, said the source.

The team leader, Mukesh Singh, refused to elaborate. “We will submit our report to the Chief Electoral Officer Debashis Sen by tomorrow,” said Singh. Sen could not be contacted despite several attempts.