ECI notifies 11 alternative identification documents in lieu of EPIC for casting votes

March. 3: Photo Electoral Rolls and Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) will be used during the General Election of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. For identification of voters at Polling Station, the Voter shall present the EPIC at the polling station. However, those who do not have the EPIC, then they are at liberty to produce any of the following alternative photo identity documents approved by the Commission:

i. Aadhar Card,
ii. MNREGA Job Card,
iii. Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office,
iv. Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour,
v. Driving License,
vi. PAN Card,
vii. Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR,
viii. Indian Passport,
ix. Pension document with photograph,
x. Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./ PSUs/ Public Limited Companies,
xi. Official identity cards issued to MPs/ MLAs/ MLCs.

To facilitate the voter to know the serial number of electoral roll of his/her polling station, date of poll, time etc., the Commission decision vide 26.02.2021, has decided to issue ‘Voter Information Slip’ to the voters in place of Photo Voter Slip. Voter Information Slip will include information like Polling Station, Date, Time etc. but not the photograph of the voter.

Voter Information Slip will be distributed at least 5 days before the date of poll to all enrolled electors, by the District Election Officer. However, Voter Information Slip will not be allowed as proof of identity of voters. It may be recalled that the Commission had discontinued Photo Voter Slips as an identity proof with effect from 28th February, 2019.