90 pc EPICs to be ready by Nov 15 in MP

Bhopal, Nov 10 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer J S Mathur today said that 90 per cent of Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) would be ready by November 15.

''It has been a major task to provide EPIC to every voter across the state and, except Kerala, no state has experimented using EPICs in such a large number,'' Mr Mathur said while briefing journalists here.

A decision regarding those voters who were yet to receive EPICs would be taken soon. ''The Election Commission is mulling an alternative for non-EPIC holders,'' Mr Mishra added.

The decision regarding reported misbehaviour by state Tourism Minister Tukoji Rao Puar with Sonkach Returning Officer Sanjana Jain would be taken soon by the ECI, he said while adding that observers had arrived in all 230 constituencies and the statement of expenditure by candidates would be furnished to the ECI.

Lauding the role of the National Cadet Corps, Mr Mathur said although the cadets were doing a good job in maintaining law and order they could not substitute regular security personnel.

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