Date: 2022-11-21Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Bye Elections in 6Assembly Constituencies 1each in Odisha Rajasthan Bihar Chhattisgarh 2in Uttar Pradesh and 1Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh the Election Commission Order regarding identification of electors
## Report on Election Commission of India Order Regarding Voter Identification
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an Order issued by the Election Commission of India on November 21, 2022, regarding voter identification for specified by-elections. This order addresses procedures for using the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and acceptable alternative photo identification documents for voters. The order clarifies the use of EPIC and provides alternative identification options where EPICs are unavailable, aiming to ensure genuine electors can exercise their right to vote while preventing impersonation. This order applies to specified assembly and parliamentary constituencies with upcoming by-elections.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the Election Commission of India Order dated November 21, 2022, concerning voter identification requirements. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This document appears to be an order building upon existing policies and rules related to voter identification and the use of Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the primary objectives are to:
* Prevent impersonation of electors during voting.
* Facilitate the right of genuine electors to vote.
* Clarify the process for voter identification using EPICs and alternative documents.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This Order addresses the practical need to provide alternative means of identification for voters who may not possess or be able to produce their EPIC. The existing legal framework mandates the use of EPICs where available, but this order acknowledges situations where EPICs may be missing or contain errors. By specifying acceptable alternative identification documents, the order aims to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised due to the unavailability of their EPIC, while still maintaining safeguards against voter fraud.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This document details the process for ensuring people are properly identified before voting. The policy requirements are as follows:
* For the specified by-elections in the constituencies of Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh), Padampur (Odisha), Sardarshahar (Rajasthan), Kurhani (Bihar), Bhanupratappur (Chhattisgarh), Rampur and Khatauli (Uttar Pradesh), all electors who have been issued an EPIC shall produce it for identification.
* Electors unable to produce an EPIC can present one of the following alternative photo identification documents:
* Aadhaar Card
* MNREGA Job Card
* Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/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 Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies
* Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
* Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, Mo Social Justice Empowerment, Government of India
* Clerical errors or spelling mistakes in the EPIC should be ignored if the elector's identity can be established.
* An EPIC issued by the Electoral Registration Officer of another Assembly Constituency is acceptable if the elector's name is on the electoral roll for that polling station.
* If the photograph on the EPIC doesn't match, the elector must produce one of the alternative photo documents listed above.
* Overseas electors registered under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, must be identified using their original Indian Passport only.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience includes:
* Electors in the specified constituencies where by-elections are being held.
* Election officials and polling staff responsible for verifying voter identity.
* Political parties and candidates contesting the by-elections.
* Overseas electors registered under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Election Commission of India is the primary body responsible for implementing this order. Electoral Registration Officers and polling station staff are responsible for the on-the-ground implementation.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The order is effective for the by-elections notified on 10/11/2022 and 11/11/2022. The procedures involve electors presenting their EPIC or an acceptable alternative photo ID at the polling station for verification by election officials. Specific procedures are implied for addressing discrepancies in EPICs and for overseas electors.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcomes of this order are likely to:
* Reduce instances of voter impersonation and ensure fair elections.
* Enable a larger number of eligible voters to participate in the by-elections by providing flexible identification options.
* Streamline the voter identification process at polling stations by clarifying acceptable identification documents.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Election Commission of India Order of November 21, 2022, plays a crucial role in defining the voter identification process for the specified by-elections. By mandating the use of EPICs where available and providing a clear list of acceptable alternative identification documents, the order strives to balance the need for secure elections with the right of all eligible citizens to vote. This report has provided key information regarding the requirements for voters participating in the upcoming elections within affected industries.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India: The governing body issuing the order regarding voter identification.
New Delhi: Location where the Election Commission of India order was issued.
November 21, 2022: Date of the Election Commission of India order.
Representation of the People Act, 1951: Legislation cited regarding prevention of voter impersonation and establishing voter identity.
Section 61: Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 concerning prevention of impersonation of electors.
Section 62: Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 concerning right of genuine electors to vote.
Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Rules empowering the Election Commission to direct the issue of Electors Photo Identity Card.
Rule 28: Rule of Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, empowers the Election Commission to direct the issue of Electors Photo Identity Card to electors bearing their photographs at State cost.
Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961: Rules stipulating conditions under which Electors Photo Identity Card must be produced.
Rules 49H 3: Rule of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, stipulate that where the electors of a constituency have been supplied with Electors Photo Identity Card the electors shall produce their Elector Photo Identity Card at the polling station.
Rules 49K 2 b: Rule of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, stipulate that where the electors of a constituency have been supplied with Electors Photo Identity Card the electors shall produce their Elector Photo Identity Card at the polling station.
Elector Photo Identity Card: A photo identification card issued to electors for identification at polling stations.
August 28, 1993: Date when the Election Commission initially directed the issue of Elector Photo Identity Cards.
Uttar Pradesh: State where by-elections are being held in Mainpuri Parliamentary Constituency and Rampur and Khatauli Assembly Constituencies.
Odisha: State where by-elections are being held in Padampur Assembly Constituency.
Rajasthan: State where by-elections are being held in Sardarshahar Assembly Constituency.
Bihar: State where by-elections are being held in Kurhani Assembly Constituency.
Chhattisgarh: State where by-elections are being held in BhanupratappurST Assembly Constituency.
Mainpuri Parliamentary Constituency: Parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh where by-elections are being held.
Padampur Assembly Constituency: Assembly constituency in Odisha where by-elections are being held.
Sardarshahar Assembly Constituency: Assembly constituency in Rajasthan where by-elections are being held.
Kurhani Assembly Constituency: Assembly constituency in Bihar where by-elections are being held.
BhanupratappurST Assembly Constituency: Assembly constituency in Chhattisgarh where by-elections are being held.
Rampur Assembly Constituency: Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh where by-elections are being held.
Khatauli Assembly Constituency: Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh where by-elections are being held.
Aadhaar Card: An alternative photo identity document that can be produced if EPIC is not available.
MNREGA Job Card: An alternative photo identity document that can be produced if EPIC is not available.
PAN Card: An alternative photo identity document that can be produced if EPIC is not available.
Indian Passport: An alternative photo identity document that can be produced if EPIC is not available.
Unique Disability ID UDID Card: An alternative photo identity document that can be produced if EPIC is not available.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The ministry associated with the Unique Disability ID UDID Card.
Government of India: The government associated with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Representation of the People Act, 1950: Act concerning the registration of overseas electors.
Section 20A: Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 concerning the registration of overseas electors.
ASHWANI KUMAR MOHAL: The Secretary who signed the order on behalf of the Election Commission of India.
रजजस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एxलxx.-GअID.E-2xx2x1 12022-240451
CG-DL-E-22112022-240451
ऄसाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—ईप-खण्ड (iii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (iii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 75] नइ ददल्ली, सोमर्ार, नर्म्ब र 21, 2022/कार्ततक 30, 1944
No. 75] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022/KARTIKA 30, 1944
भारत जनर्ाचा न अयोग
अदेि
नइ ददल् ली, 21 नर्म् बर, 2022
1. अ.ऄ. 75(ऄ).—यतः लोक प्रजतजनजधत्र् ऄजधजनयम, 1951 की धारा 61 में यह ईपबंजधत ह ै दक जनर्ााचकों के
प्रजतरुपण का जनर्ारण करने की दजृ ि से, तादक ईक्त ऄजधजनयम की धारा 62 के ऄधीन र्ास्ट्तजर्क जनर्ााचकों का ईनके मत
देने के ऄजधकार को और ऄजधक प्रभार्ी बनाया जा सके, मतदान के समय जनर्ााचकों की पहचान सुजनजित करने के साधन
के रुप में जनर्ााचकों के जलए जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान पत्र के ईपयोग हते ु जनयमों के द्वारा ईपबधं दकए जा सकत े ह,ैं तथा
2. यतः जनर्ााचकों का रजजजस्ट्रकरण जनयम, 1960 का जनयम 28 जनर्ााचन अयोग को, आस दजृि स े दक जनर्ााचकों के
प्रजतरुपण का जनर्ारण हो सके तथा मतदान के समय ईनकी पहचान को सरल बनाया जा सके, जनर्ााचको को राज्य की
लागत पर फोटोयुक्त जनर्ााचक फोटो-पहचान पत्र जारी करन ेके जलए जनदेि देने की िजक्त प्रदान करता ह;ै तथा
3. यतः, जनर्ााचनों का संचालन जनयम, 1961 के जनयम 49 ज(3) और 49 ट(2) (ख) में यह ईपबंजधत ह ै दक जहा ाँ
दकसी जनर्ााचन क्षेत्र के जनर्ााचकों को जनर्ााचक रजजजस्ट्रकरण जनयम, 1960, के जनयम 28 के ईक्त ईपबंधों के ऄधीन
जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान-पत्र ददए गए ह,ैं र्हां जनर्ााचकों को मतदान केन्द्र में ऄपना जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान-पत्र ददखाना
होगा तथा ईनकी ओर से ईन जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान पत्रों को नहीं ददखाए जाने या ददखान े म ें ऄसमथ ा होन े पर ईन्द्हें मत
डालन े की ऄनुमजत दने े स ेआन्द्कार दकया जा सकता ह;ै तथा
4. यतः, ईक्त ऄजधजनयम, और जनयमों के ईपयुाक्त ईपबंधों को जमलाकर एर् ं सामंजस्ट्यपूण ा ढंग स े ईनके ऄध्ययन स े यह
स्ट््षट होता ह ैदक यद्यजप मत दने े का ऄजधकार जनर्ााचक नामार्ली में नाम के होन े से ही होता हैं, यह जनर्ााचन अयोग द्वारा
राज्य की लागत पर, मतदान के समय ईनकी पहचान सुजनजित करने के साधन के रुप में प्रदान करर्ाए गए जनर्ााचक फोटो
पहचान पत्र के प्रयोग पर भी जनभार करता ह,ै तथा दोनों का एक साथ प्रयोग करना होता ह;ै तथा
5. यतः, जनर्ााचन अयोग न े एक समयबद्ध कायाक्रम के ऄनुसार सभी जनर्ााचकों को जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान-पत्र
इ0पी0अइ0सी0 जारी करन े का जनदेि दते े हुए 28 ऄगस्ट्त, 1993 को एक अदेि जारी दकया ह;ै तथा
7724 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(iii)]
6. यतः,ईत्तर प्रदिे ,ओजडिा, राजस्ट्थान, जबहार और छत्तीसगढ़ राज्यों में लगभग हर मतदाता को मतदाता फोटो
पहचान पत्र जारीदकए जा चुके ह,ैं तथा
7. ऄतः, ऄब, सभी संबद्ध कारकों तथा जर्जधक एर् ं तथ्यात्मक जस्ट्थजतयों को ध्यान में रखते हुए, जनर्ााचन अयोग,
एतद्द्वारा, यह जनदेि देता ह ै दक ददनांक 10-11-2022 एर् ं 11-11-2022 को ऄजधसूजचत ईत्तर प्रदेि के 21- मैनपुरी
संसदीय जनर्ााचन क्षत्रे , ईडीसा के 01 – पदमपुर जर्धानसभा जनर्ााचन क्षत्रे , राजस्ट्थान के 21 - सरदारिहर जर्धान सभा
जनर्ााचन क्षत्रे , जबहार के 93 - कुढ़नी जर्धान सभा जनर्ााचन क्षत्रे , छत्तीसगढ़ के 80 – भानुप्रतापपुर (ऄ.ज.जा.) जर्धान
सभा जनर्ााचन क्षत्रे , और ईत्तर प्रदेि के 37 – रामपुर एर् ं 15 - खतौली जर्धान सभा जनर्ााचन क्षत्रे के चाल ू ईप जनर्ााचनों
के जलए सभी जनर्ााचक जजन्द्ह ें जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान पत्र जारी दकए गए ह,ैं मतदान स्ट्थल पर ऄपना मत डालने स े पहल े
ऄपनी पहचान सुजनजित करन े हते ु ऄपना जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान पत्र ददखाएगं े। ऐसे जनर्ाचा क जो ऄपना जनर्ााचक फोटो
पहचान पत्र प्रस्ट्ततु नहीं कर पाते ह,ैं ईन्द्ह ें ऄपनी पहचान स्ट्थाजपत करन े के जलए जनम्नजलजखत र्ैकजल्पक फोटो पहचान
दस्ट्तार्ेजों म ें स े कोइ एक प्रस्ट्तुत करना होगाः-
I. अधार काडा।
ii. मनरेगा जॉब काडा,
iii. बैंको/डाकघरों द्वारा जारी दकए गए फोटोयुक्त पासबुक,
iv. श्रम मंत्रालय की योजना के ऄन्द्तगात जारी स्ट्र्ास्ट्थ्य बीमा स्ट्माटा काडा,
v. ड्राआवर्ग लाआसेन्द्स,
vi. पैन काडा,
vii. एनपीअर के ऄंतगात अरजीअइ द्वारा जारी दकए गए स्ट्माटा काडा,
viii. भारतीय पासपोटा;
ix. फोटोयुक्त पेंिन दस्ट्तार्ेज,
x. केन्द्र/राज्य सरकार/लोक ईपक्रम/पजिलक जलजमटेड कम्पजनयों द्वारा ऄपन े कमाचापरयों को जारी दकए
गए फोटोयुक्त सेर्ा पहचान-पत्र, और
xi. सांसदो/ जर्धायकों/जर्धान पपरषद ्सदस्ट्यों को जारी दकए गए सरकारी पहचान पत्र,
xii. यूजनक जडसएजबजलटी अइडी (यूडीअइडी) काडा, सामाजजक न्द्याय एर्ं ऄजधकापरता मत्रं ालय, भारत
सरकार।
8. एजपक के संबंध में, लेखन ऄिुजद्ध, र्तानी की ऄिुजद्ध आत्यादद को नजरऄंदाज कर दने ा चाजहए बित ें
जनर्ााचक की पहचान इपीअइसी से सुजनजित की जा सके। यदद कोइ जनर्ााचक फोटो पहचान पत्र प्रदजिता करता
ह,ै जो दक दकसी ऄन्द्य सभा जनर्ााचन-क्षेत्र के जनर्ााचक रजजस्ट्रीकरण ऄजधकारी द्वार जारी दकया गया हैं, ऐस े
एजपक भी पहचान स्ट्थाजपत करने हते ू स्ट्र्ीकृत दकए जाएगं े बितें ईस जनर्ााचक का नाम जहां र्ह मतदान करन े
अया ह ै ईस मतदान केंर से संबंजधत जनर्ााचक नामार्ली में ईपलिध हो। यदद फोटोग्राफ आत्यादद के बेमेल होने के
कारण जनर्ााचक की पहचान सुजनजित करना संभर् न हो तब जनर्ााचक को ईपयुाक्त पैरा 7 में र्र्तणत दकसी एक
र्ैकजल्पक फोटो दस्ट्तार्ेज को प्रस्ट्तुत करना होगा।
9. ईक्त परै ा 7 म ें दकसी बात के होते हुए भी, प्रर्ासी जनर्ााचकों को जो ऄपने पासपोटा में जर्र्रणों के अधार पर लोक
प्रजतजनजधत्र् ऄजधजनयम, 1950 की धारा 20क के ऄधीन जनर्ाचा क नामार्जलयों में पंजीकृत हैं, मतदान केन्द्र में केर्ल ईनके
मूल पासपोटा (तथा कोइ ऄन्द्य पहचान दस्ट्तार्ेज नहीं) के अधार पर ही पहचाना जाएगा।
[फा. सं. 3/4/अइ डी/2022/एसडीअर/खण्ड–II]
अदेि से,
ऄश् र्नी कुमार मोहल, सजचर्[भाग II—खण् ड 3(iii)] भारत का राजपत्र : ऄसाधारण 3
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
ORDER
New Delhi, the 21st November, 2022
1. O.N. 75(E) .—Whereas, Section 61 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides that with a view
to preventing impersonation of electors, so as to make the right of genuine electors to vote under section 62 of that Act
more effective, provisions may be made by rules under that Act for use of Electors Photo Identity Card for electors as
the means of establishing their identity at the time of polling; and
2. Whereas, Rule 28 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, empowers the Election Commission to direct,
with a view to preventing impersonation of electors and facilitating their identification at the time of poll, the issue of
Electors Photo Identity Card to electors bearing their photographs at State cost; and
3. Whereas, Rules 49H (3) and 49K (2) (b) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, stipulate that where the
electors of a constituency have been supplied with Electors Photo Identity Card under the said provisions of Rule 28
of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, the electors shall produce their Elector Photo Identity Card at the polling
station and failure or refusal on their part to produce those Elector Photo Identity Card may result in the denial of
permission to vote; and
4. Whereas, a combined and harmonious reading of the aforesaid provisions of the said Act and the Rules,
makes it clear that although the right to vote arises by the existence of the name in the electoral roll, it is also
dependent upon the use of the Elector Photo Identity Card, where provided by the Election Commission at State cost,
as the means of establishing their identity at the time of polling and that both are to be used together; and
5. Whereas, the Election Commission made an Order on the 28th August, 1993, directing the issue of Elector
Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to all electors, according to a time bound programme; and
6. Whereas, Elector Photo Identity Card have been issued to almost every elector in the States of Uttar Pradesh,
Odisha, Rajasthan, Bihar & Chhattisgarh; and
7. Now, therefore, after taking into account all relevant factors and the legal and factual position, the Election
Commission hereby directs that for the current bye-elections in 21-Mainpuri Parliamentary Constituency of
Uttar Pradesh, 01-Padampur Assembly Constituency of Odisha, 21-Sardarshahar Assembly Constituency of
Rajasthan, 93-Kurhani Assembly Constituency of Bihar, 80-Bhanupratappur(ST) Assembly Constituency of
Chhattisgarh, 37-Rampur & 15-Khatauli Assembly Constituencies of Uttar Pradesh notified on 10-11-2022 and
11-11-2022, all electors who have been issued EPIC shall produce the EPIC for their identification at the polling
station before casting their votes. Those electors who are not able to produce the EPIC shall produce one of the
following alternative photo identity documents for establishing their identity: -
(i) Aadhaar 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, and
(xi) Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.
(xii)Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
8. In the case of EPIC, clerical errors, spelling mistakes, etc. should be ignored provided the identity of the
elector can be established by the EPIC. If an elector produces an EPIC which has been issued by the Electoral
Registration Officer of another Assembly Constituency, such EPIC shall also be accepted for identification provided
the name of that elector finds place in the electoral roll pertaining to the polling station where the elector has turned up
for voting. 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 in Para 7 above.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(iii)]
9. Notwithstanding anything in Para 7 above, overseas electors who are registered in the electoral roll under
Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, based on the particulars in their Indian Passport, shall be
identified on the basis of their original passport only (and no other identity document) in the polling station.
[F. No. 3/4/ID/2022/SDR-Vol.II]
By Order,
ASHWANI KUMAR MOHAL, Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.