EC ensures fool proof measures for voters' indentity in Bengal elect

Kolkata, Apr 9 (UNI) In its latest directive to ensure a free and fair poll in West Bengal, the Election Commission today directed the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to issue a "special" certificate for every non EPIC voters at the booth level in the state.

Briefing reporters here this evening about the Commission's latest directive, CEO Debashis Sen reiterated that while it had become mandatory for every Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) holder to produce the card at the booth before casting his/her vote, those who could not get such card by April 15, two days before the first phase of elections, could only vote by producing in 14 different types of identity cards as specified by the EC.

These 14 specific categories of identity are like passports, Driving licence, service ID card, students Id card, SC-ST-OBC certificates, pension documents and railway ID cards with photo affixing on each of them, Mr Sen informed.

However, for about two to three per cent voters who most likely could not be given EPIC by April 15 by the Commission, would be provided with a unique "certificate for non EPIC Electorate" till three days before the poll in every phase by the polling officials as per their list.

Accordingly these miniscule voters, roughly about five to six persons in every booth, would be able to cast their votes after signing and counter signing or putting right thumb impression on the certificate before the presiding officer. In case of any doubt about the identity of the concerned voters the presiding officer could prevent him/her from exercising his/her franchise, Mr Sen said and made it clear that only through this elaboarate and fool proof measures the EC was determined to ensure a free and fair poll in the state.

Asked about the rationality behind such an elaborate step for the voters in West Bengal only, the CEO said it was considered since unlike Tamil, Kerala and Pondichery, the state could not issue 100 per cent EPIC for all voters across the state.

" We have already informed all political partiers about the Commission's decsion to this effect and asked them to be fully aware of the complications", Mr Sen said.

To a query he said today being Sunday no nomination was filed anywhere in the state.

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