Date: 2018-02-27Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
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
**Executive Summary:**
This document, issued by the Election Commission of India on February 23, 2018, outlines the identification procedures for voters in specified current bye-elections. It reinforces the use of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) and provides alternative identification documents for voters who cannot produce an EPIC. The order aims to prevent impersonation and ensure genuine electors can exercise their right to vote.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Purpose:** Prevent impersonation of electors and facilitate voter identification during polling.
* **Legal Basis:**
* Section 61 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 allows for rules to ensure electors can be identified at the time of polling.
* Rule 28 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 empowers the Election Commission to direct the issuance of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
* Rules 49H(3) and 49K(2)(b) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 require electors to produce EPICs at polling stations.
* **Voter Identification Procedure:**
* Electors with EPICs must produce them for identification before voting in current bye-elections from:
* 9-Araria Parliamentary Constituency
* 205-Bhabua Assembly Constituency
* 216-Jehanabad Assembly Constituencies in Bihar
* 51-Phulpur Parliamentary Constituency
* 64-Gorakhpur Parliamentary Constituencies in Uttar Pradesh
* Notified on 13.02.2018
* Electors unable to produce an EPIC must present one of the following alternative photo ID documents:
* Passport
* Driving License
* Service Identity Card with photograph (issued by Central/State Govt., PSUs, Public Limited Companies)
* Passbook with photograph (issued by Bank/Post Office)
* PAN Card
* Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
* MNREGA Job Card
* Health Insurance Smart Card (issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour)
* Pension document with photograph
* Authenticated Photo Voter Slip (issued by the election machinery)
* Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
* Aadhaar Card
* Clerical errors or spelling mistakes in EPICs should be ignored if the elector's identity can be established.
* EPICs issued by the Electoral Registration Officer of another Assembly Constituency are acceptable if the elector's name is on the electoral roll of the polling station.
* If photo mismatch prevents identification, an alternative photo ID document from the list above must be produced.
* **Special Provision for Overseas Electors:**
* Overseas electors registered under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, must be identified using their original passport only.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Electors:**
* *Impact:* Must present EPIC or alternative photo ID to vote; overseas electors are restricted to their original passport.
* *Action Required:* Ensure they have a valid EPIC or acceptable alternative photo ID ready when voting.
* **Election Officials:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for verifying voter identity using EPICs or alternative documents and must be familiar with acceptable forms of identification.
* *Action Required:* Enforce the guidelines for voter identification at polling stations, accept EPICs with minor errors, and understand the specific rule for overseas electors.
Key Entities Referenced
Representation of the People Act, 1951: An act of the Parliament of India that provides for the conduct of elections to the Houses of Parliament and to the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council of each State.
Election Commission of India: An autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India.
Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Rules pertaining to the registration of electors, empowering the Election Commission to direct the issue of Electors Photo Identity Cards.
Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961: Rules stipulating the use of Electors Photo Identity Cards for identification at polling stations.
Electors Photo Identity Card: A photo identification card issued to electors in India, used for establishing identity at the time of polling.
Bihar: A state in eastern India where Electors Photo Identity Cards have been issued to a large number of electors.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in northern India where Electors Photo Identity Cards have been issued to a large number of electors.
Aadhaar Card: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India. It is listed as one of the alternative photo identity documents that can be used for establishing identity if the Electors Photo Identity Card cannot be produced.
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ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
ORDER
New Delhi, the 23rd February, 2018
O.N. 17(E).— 1. 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 Electors Photo Identity Card at the polling station
and failure or refusal on their part to produce those Electors 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 Electors 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 Electors Photo
Identity Card (EPIC) to all electors, according to a time bound programme; and
6. Whereas, Electors Photo Identity Card have been issued to a substantially large number of electors in the States of
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh; and¹Hkkx IIµ[k.M 3(iii)º Hkkjr dk jkti=k % vlk/kj.k 3
7. Whereas, in addition the Commission has directed that ‘Authenticated Photo Voters Slip’ shall be distributed to
the electors before the date of poll for the current bye Elections;
8. Now, therefore, after taking into account all relevant factors and the legal and factual position, the Election
Commission hereby directs that for current bye elections from 9-Araria Parliamentary Constituency, 205-Bhabua &
216-Jehanabad Assembly Constituencies in Bihar, 51-Phulpur & 64-Gorakhpur Parliamentary Constituencies in
Uttar Pradesh which have been notified on 13-02-2018(Tuesday) 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) Passport;
(ii) Driving License;
(iii) Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt. PSUs/Public
Limited Companies;
(iv) Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office;
(v) PAN Card;
(vi) Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR;
(vii) MNREGA Job Card;
(viii) Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour;
(ix) Pension document with photograph,
(x) Authenticated Photo Voter Slip issued by the election machinery; and
(xi) Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
(xii) Aadhaar Card.
9. 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 Electors Photo Identity Card, which has been issued by
the Electoral Registration Officer of another Assembly Constituency, such EPICs 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 8 above.
10. Notwithstanding anything in Para 8 above, overseas electors who are registered in the electoral rolls under
Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, based on the particulars in their Passport, shall be
identified on the basis of their original passport only (and no other identity document) in the polling station.
[No. 3/4/ID/ECI/LET/FUNC/JUD/SDR/VOL.I/2018]
By Order,
K.F.WILFRED, Sr. Principal 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.