New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has permitted voters whose names figure on the electoral rolls but who are unable to produce their Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to use any one of twelve alternative photo identity documents to cast their votes.
In a press statement issued from Nirvachan Sadan, the Commission said the move is aimed at ensuring that no eligible voter is deprived of the right to vote merely due to non-possession of an EPIC card. The direction comes ahead of the by-elections in Bihar and eight other Assembly Constituencies where the ECI has already instructed officials to distribute EPICs to new voters within fifteen days of the final publication of electoral rolls.
The Commission said that documents such as the Aadhaar card, MNREGA job card, bank or post office passbooks with photographs, driving license, PAN card, health insurance smart card, Indian passport, and several other official identity cards will now serve as valid proof of identification for voters at polling stations.
It further reiterated that the presence of a voter’s name on the electoral roll remains a prerequisite for exercising the right to vote. The ECI also directed polling staff to make special arrangements for purdanasheen (veiled) women to ensure dignified and private verification at polling stations under the supervision of female officials. [KNT]
