EC launches Electoral Photo Identity Card campaign in Punjab

Chandigarh, Sep 21 (UNI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) today launched a special campaign in Punjab to ensure all eligible voters receive Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) ahead of the assembly elections to be held in February next year.

Under this campaign special teams would visit villages in various assembly constituencies for photographing and issuing identity cards to eligible voters who do not possess them. These special teams are from the Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (HARTRON), the nodal agency which has been tasked to execute this programme.

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sundaram Krishan said here today an intensive revision of the electoral rolls had just been concluded to take into account demographic changes which had taken place since the last voter enumeration in 2005.

This revision had also identified many new voters who have not yet received photo identity cards.

The first phase of the EPIC campaign which has been launched would cover 11 assembly constituencies. These are Dhariwal, Jalandhar North, Banga, Sultanpur, Tanda, Qila Raipur, Nangal, Amloh, Muktsar, Talwandi Sabo and Budhlada.

Mr Sundaram said another 47 constituencies will be taken up from September 25. These are Batala, Shri Hargobindpur, Narot Mehra, Sujjanpur, Majitha, Verka, Jandiala, Amritsar South, Ajnala, Attari, Patti, Valtoha, Adampur,Jalandhar South, Lohian, Nakodar, Nawan Shahr, Bholath, Mahilpur, Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Ludhiana North, Ludhiana West, Ludhiana East, Morinda, Banur, Ghanaur, Patial Town, Sirhind, Dhuri, Sherpur, Barnala, Bhadaur, Dhanaula, Balluana, Abohar, Fazilka, Guru Har Sahai, Ferozepur, Dharmkot, Moga, Bagha Purana, Nihal Singh Wala, Lambi, Pakka Kalan, Nathana and Sardulgarh.

The second phase of the EPIC campaign, which will commence from November 10 would cover the remaining 59 constituencies in the state.

UNI HS LS HT1740