Election Commission Expands Accepted Documents Beyond Voter ID Cards for Smooth Voting Process”
In the upcoming Lok Sabha general elections, voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots across five phases in the state. The voting dates are scheduled for April 19th, 26th, 7th, 13th, and 20th. To ensure smooth voting procedures, the Election Commission of India has approved 12 types of identity proofs other than the traditional voter photo identity card.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer, individuals can vote by presenting any one of the accepted identification proofs. If a voter possesses a Voter ID Card with a photograph, it must be presented at the polling booth to establish identity. However, if a voter lacks this card, alternative proofs are admissible.
Accepted identification proofs include:
- Old passports
- Driving licenses
- Photo identity cards issued by the Central or State Government
- Public sector undertakings, public limited companies
- Passbooks with photos distributed by banks or the postal department
- PAN Card
- Director General of India under National Population Register
- Smart cards issued by the Census Commissioner
- Employment identity cards under MNREGA
- Retirement salary documents
- Authorized identity cards for members of Parliament, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council
- Aadhaar card
- Special identity cards for disabled persons by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Arogya Vima smart cards of 12 old forms
For NRIs, the original passport serves as the primary identification document. In cases where a voter has changed their address in the voter list but has not received the new identity card, half the identity card will be considered valid.
Post-election, the election office will distribute letters containing information about polling centers, polling stations, dates, and timings to all registered voters at least five days after the polling date. Moreover, the Chief Electoral Officer urges voters to carry an information sheet and a photograph along with their identity card when visiting the polling station.
