The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced that electors on the voter list can now use any one of twelve alternative photo identity documents in addition to the Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to exercise their right to vote. This move aims to facilitate voter identification and prevent impersonation at polling stations.
EPICs, issued under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, have already reached nearly 100 percent of electors in Bihar and in the eight Assembly constituencies going to by-elections. The Commission has directed all Chief Electoral Officers to ensure that EPICs are delivered to new voters within 15 days of the final publication of the electoral rolls.
For voters whose names appear on the electoral rolls but who are unable to present their EPIC, the ECI, through a notification dated October 7, 2025, has permitted the use of alternative documents such as Aadhaar Card, MNREGA Job Card, bank or post office passbooks with photographs, health insurance smart cards under Ministry of Labour schemes or Ayushman Bharat, driving licenses, PAN cards, smart cards issued by the Registrar General of India under NPR, Indian passports, pension documents with photographs, service identity cards issued by government or public sector employers, official identity cards of MPs, MLAs, and MLCs, and the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card.
The Commission reiterated that the presence of a name on the electoral roll remains a prerequisite for voting on polling day. Special arrangements will also be made for ‘purdanasheen’ women wearing burqa or purdah to ensure dignified identification at polling stations. Lady polling officers or attendants will assist them while ensuring their privacy, in line with existing instructions for maintaining decorum and voter comfort.
