EC allows 14 alternative identification proofs UP phase one polling

Lucknow, Apr 1 (UNI) The Election Commission, which had earlier, been firm against allowing voting without the Election Photo Identifification Card (EPIC) in the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, today announced it would accept 14 alternative identifications in the absence of EPIC in the first phase of polling on April 7.

With this, the driving licence, PAN card, passport, I-card of Central public sector and government employees, Kisan card duly verified, photocopy of the bank account opened before January 31, 2007 and some other identification proofs would be accepted at the time of voting.

Voters with these 14 alternative identification proofs could cast their votes as per the EC directives, UP Additional Chief Electoral Officer Mritunjay Narain said here.

In such cases, members of the family would also be allowed to vote if their family head, owning any of these identification proofs, would accompany them to cast the votes.

This arrangement would be applicable to the first phase of polling on 62 assembly seats in 13 districts besides the Lok Sabha by-poll on Bilhaur seat on the same date on April 7.

UNI