Voters must carry EPIC card or any of 12 other authentic documents for voting: Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner

LUDHIANA: To "ensure" that voters and staff are informed about the electoral photo identity card (EPIC) and the 11 alternative documents that can be used on Election Day, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal announced on Monday that either the EPIC or one of the 12 alternative identity documents can be presented by voters to cast their votes on December 21.

As per an official statement, The EPIC commonly referred to as a voter card, can be supplemented by the following 12 alternative identity documents approved by the Election Commission of India:

1. Passport
2. Driving License
3. Service Identity Card with a photograph, issued to employees by Central/State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, or Public Limited Companies
4. Passbook issued by a Bank/Post Office that contains a photograph
5. PAN Card
6. Ration Card/Blue Card
7. MGNREGA Card
8. Freedom Fighter Identity Card
9. Health Insurance Smart Card issued by the Ministry of Labour
10. Pension Document with a photograph
11. Identity Cards issued to Members of Parliament/Legislative Assemblies
12. Aadhaar Card

Jorwal encouraged voters to carry the EPIC or voter identity card as their first choice.

Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner mentioned that, according to the orders of the State Election Commission, minor discrepancies in the voter identity card—such as errors in the voter's name, father's/mother's/husband's name, sex, age, or address—can be overlooked. Voters will still be permitted to cast their votes as long as their identity can be verified using that card.

Jorwal stated that presiding officers have been briefed through special training about details of these alternative documents.

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