New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) To simplify the voting experience for electors, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday that individuals listed on the voters’ roster may present any one of the 12 alternative Photo IDs in addition to the Electors' Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to cast their vote.

The statement from the poll body explained, “The Election Commission of India is authorized under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to mandate that Electors' Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) be provided to electors for their identification and to stop impersonation at the Polling Station.

Furthermore, it was noted, “EPICs have been distributed to nearly 100 percent of electors in Bihar and the eight Assembly Constituencies involved in the bye-elections. The Commission directed all Chief Electoral Officers to ensure that EPICs reach new voters within 15 days after the final publication of Electoral Rolls.”

To facilitate electors whose names appear on the electoral list but who cannot present their EPIC for identification, the ECI has authorized them to use any one of the 12 alternative photo identity documents listed in a previous notification.

The announcement specified, “For the convenience of voters whose names are on the electoral rolls but cannot provide the EPIC, the ECI issued a notification on October 7, 2025, allowing such electors to present any one of the following 12 alternative photo identity documents: Aadhaar Card; MNREGA Job Card; Bank/Post Office Passbooks with photograph; Health Insurance Smart Card under the Ministry of Labour/Ayushman Bharat Health Card; Driving Licence; 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 Government/PSUs/Public Limited Companies; Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issued by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.

The poll body further emphasized that it is essential for a voter’s name to be included in the electoral roll to be eligible to vote.

“It must be reiterated that having a name on the Electoral Roll is a prerequisite for voting on polling day,” the communication stated.

The ECI also addressed the challenge of identifying women who typically cover their faces, ensuring respect for their privacy.

“To promote participation of ‘purdanasheen’ (women in burqa or purdah), special provisions will be made at the Polling Stations as per existing instructions for their dignified identification in the presence of female Polling Officers/Attendants while safeguarding their privacy.”

This notification from the ECI arrives just before the Assembly elections in Bihar, scheduled to take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting set for November 14.