Election Commission India (ECI) is empowered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 read with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to direct that Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC) be issued to electors to facilitate their identification and prevent impersonation at the Polling Station.
EPICs have been issued to nearly 100% of the electors in Bihar and in the 8 Assembly Constituencies going to bye-elections. The Commission had also issued directions to all CEOs to ensure the delivery of EPICs to the new voters within 15 days of final publication of Electoral Rolls.
Further, for the convenience of voters whose names are on the electoral rolls but are unable to produce the EPIC for their identification ECI has issued notification on October 7, 2025 permitting such electors to produce any one of the following 12 alternative photo identity 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/ Ayushman Bharat Health Card
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 and
Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issued by the M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
It maybe reiterated that the presence of name on the Electoral Roll is a prerequisite to be able to vote on polling day.
To encourage participation of ‘purdanasheen’ (in burqa or purdah) women, special arrangements shall be made at the Polling Stations as per extant instructions for their dignified identification in the presence of lady Polling Officers/Attendants while ensuring their privacy.
