Approve identity card other than EPIC, EC told

Bhopal, Oct 23 (UNI) Different political parties today urged the Election Commission to approve any identity card other than Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) for the November 25 Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh as many voters were yet to be provided EPIC.

The Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami is on a two-day tour of this lake city to review the arrangements for the polling in 230 constituencies. The panel interacted with representatives of different political parties in the forenoon before holding a meeting with senior civil and police officials.

During the meeting, Congress, BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders brought to the commission's notice non-distribution of EPIC to many voters figuring in the official electoral rolls.

The EC's directive that only those voters carrying EPIC would be allowed to exercise their right of franchise posed practical problems, the leaders pointed out, adding other sort of identity cards like ration card should be accepted for identifying the electors.

While seeking transfer of officials posted at one place for more than three years, main opposition Congress alleged that several government hoardings eulogising the BJP government's socalled achievements were still in place and it should be removed forthwith.

It pointed out that several BJP supporters appointed on different public sector undertakings were using official vehicles for party work and such vehicles should be seized.

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