Minor errors in voter card to be overlooked for Ponda bypoll: EC

Panaji: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that minor clerical errors or spelling mistakes on a Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) should be disregarded, provided the elector’s identity can be confidently established.

The commission said that EPIC issued by the electoral registration officer of a different assembly constituency will also be accepted, on the condition that the voter’s name appears on the electoral roll of the polling station in Ponda where they present themselves.

In an order dated March 18, the ECI said that if a photograph mismatch makes identification of the voter impossible, electors will be required to produce one of the approved alternative documents such as Aadhaar card, govt-issued photo IDs, Indian passport or a bank passbook with a photograph.

Noting that “EPICs have now been issued to approximately 100% of electors” in the states going to polls, the EC said that voters with EPIC are expected to present it at polling stations, but the other documents will also suffice.

The order applies to the general elections of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, as well as byelections to eight assembly constituencies, including Ponda. Polling is scheduled for April 9, with the results being declared on May 4.

Overseas electors registered under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, will be identified solely on the basis of their original Indian passport, regardless of the alternative documents available to domestic voters.