**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India has commenced the door-to-door distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) for the 2026 General Elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I). Distribution by Booth Level Officers must be completed at least five days before the polling date of April 23, 2026. The VIS provides essential polling details and accessibility features but is not a valid stand-alone identification document for voting.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**VIS Features and Purpose**
* **Essential Information:** Contains voter details, polling station location, date, time, a map snapshot, and a list of Do's and Don'ts.
* **Enhanced Readability:** Features clearly legible part and serial numbers, along with a QR code for faster elector detail matching.
* **Efficiency:** Designed to reduce crowding at polling stations and facilitate a faster polling process.
**Distribution Protocols**
* **Methodology:** Booth Level Officers (BLOs) must distribute slips personally by visiting voters door-to-door.
* **Timeline:** Distribution must be finished at least five days prior to the poll date.
* **Monitoring:** Candidates, Booth Level Agents (BLA), or their authorized agents are permitted to accompany BLOs during the distribution.
**Accessibility and Inclusivity**
* **Language:** Slips are printed only in the languages used for the assembly constituency's Electoral Roll.
* **Support for PwDs:** Persons with visual impairment or blindness will receive Accessible Voter Information Slips (AVIS) featuring Braille, in addition to the regular VIS.
**Legal and Identification Requirements**
* **Identification:** The VIS is not a stand-alone ID; voters must present their EPIC or one of 12 other authorized ID proofs to cast their vote.
* **Compliance:** Unauthorized possession or distribution of VIS is a violation of the RP Act, 1951, and the BNS, punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both.
**Impact Analysis**
**Voters (including Persons with Disabilities)**
**Impact**
Voters receive personalized guidance regarding their polling station and requirements. Visually impaired voters gain improved access through Braille-enabled slips.
**Action Required**
Review the VIS for polling details and ensure they carry a valid EPIC or one of the 12 authorized ID proofs to the polling station on April 23, 2026.
**Booth Level Officers (BLOs)**
**Impact**
BLOs are mandated to ensure every enrolled elector receives their VIS personally.
**Action Required**
Conduct door-to-door visits and complete the full distribution of VIS and AVIS by the strict deadline of five days before the poll.
**Candidates and Political Agents**
**Impact**
They are granted the right to oversee the distribution process to ensure transparency.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with BLOs if they wish to accompany them during distribution and ensure they do not engage in unauthorized possession of election materials.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary regulatory body responsible for conducting the 2026 General Elections and overseeing the distribution of voter guidance materials.
Voter Information Slips (VIS): Essential documents distributed door-to-door to electors containing polling station details, QR codes, and instructions to facilitate the voting process.
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal: The specific states where the general assembly elections and voter distribution initiatives are being implemented for the 2026 poll cycle.
Representation of the People Act, 1951: The governing legislation under which unauthorized distribution or possession of election materials like VIS is considered a punishable violation.
Accessible Voter Information Slips (AVIS): A specialized initiative featuring Braille to ensure the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the election process.
Election Commission
General Elections to Legislative Assemblies and
Bye-Elections, 2026
Distribution of Voter Information Slips begins
Posted On: 15 APR 2026 4:38PM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the distribution of Voter Information Slips
(VIS) for the general elections to the legislative assemblies of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-
I) which go to polls on 23rd April, 2026 (Thursday).
2. VIS contains voter’s details, Polling Station location, date and time of poll and a snapshot of the
polling station map along with a list of Do’s and Don’ts to guide the voters on poll day. A QR
code also helps the voters in faster searching/matching of elector details. VIS also helps in reducing
crowding at polling stations and helps in faster polling.
3. It may be recalled that the Commission had, in one of its initiatives, issued instructions to make VIS
more readable and accessible for the convenience of voters. Accordingly, the part number and the
serial number of the voter has been made clearly legible on the VIS for ease of identification and
use.
4. VIS are being distributed by the BLOs concerned personally to the voters by visiting door to door.
The process is to be completed at least 5 days before the day of poll to all enrolled electors.
5. To make the VIS accessible and voter-friendly, the Commission has also issued instructions that
they should only be in the languages in which Electoral Roll is published for the assembly
constituency.
6. To ensure wholesome constructive participation and active engagement of Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs) in the election process, it has been directed to issue Accessible Voter Information Slips
(AVIS) with Braille Features to Persons with Visual Impairment or Blind, over and above the
regular VIS.
7. BLA/Candidate or their agents may accompany the BLOs during distribution of VIS.
8. Any unauthorized distribution/ possession of VIS (election material) shall be considered as violation
of the relevant provisions of the RP Act, 1951 and the BNS and is punishable with imprisonment
or fine or both.
9. Voter Information Slip shall not be accepted as a stand-alone identification document by a voter
for the purpose of casting one’s vote in the poll. Electors can use any one of the 12 authorised ID
proofs apart from the EPIC to cast their votes.
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PK/GDH/RP
(Release ID: 2252245) Visitor Counter : 380
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