EC issues new guidelines to identify genuine electors; passport as only ID proof for overseas voters

Hyderabad: Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a fresh order to identify genuine electors and avoid impersonation during polling.

The new steps have been taken to ensure free and fair polls in the upcoming assembly elections.

Other government-approved ID proof alternatives to EPIC accepted

As per the order, the voter should produce his EPIC (elector photo identity card) card in the polling station before casting the vote. Those who cannot produce EPIC shall have to produce any one of the alternative photo identity documents for establishing their identity from the following: an Aadhaar Card, MNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank or Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Driving License, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension document with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Government/PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs, and Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

Negligible clerical errors are to be ignored for identification

Any EPIC-related clerical errors, spelling mistakes, etc. shall be ignored to identify the elector. If an elector produces an EPIC that has been issued by the Electoral Registration Officer of another Assembly Constituency, such EPIC shall also be accepted for identification provided that the name of that elector finds a place in the electoral roll about the polling station where the elector has turned up for voting.

For overseas electors, only the original passport is accepted as ID proof

If it is not possible to establish the identity of the elector on account of mismatch of photograph, etc. the elector shall have to produce one of the alternative photo documents mentioned above. Overseas electors who are registered in the electoral roll, based on the particulars in their Indian Passport, shall be identified based on their original passport only (and no other identity document) at the polling station.

Voter Information Slip instead of Photo Voter Slip

To facilitate the voter to know the serial number of the electoral roll of his or her polling station, date of poll, time, etc, the Commission has decided to issue a Voter Information Slip (VIS) to the voters in place of a Photo Voter Slip. VIS will include information like polling station, date and time, etc. of the poll. Voter Information Slips will be distributed at least five days before the date of the poll to all enrolled electors, by the District Election Officer. However, VIS shall not be accepted as proof to identify the voters.