''98 pc voters in AP have electoral photo identity cards''

Hyderabad, Jan 25 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh may soon becomethe first state in the country to issue 100 per cent electoralphoto identity cards (EPICs).

"About 98 per cent of the voters have already beenprovided with EPICs," state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)Bhanwar Lal said during the National Voters'' Day celebrationshere today.

Noting that there are about 5.7 crore voters in thestate, with the fresh registration of 15 lakh voters, he saidmany college students and all other eligible voters need to beenrolled as voters.

Former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh launchedthe Electoral Roll Management System (ERMS) at the functiontoday, which will be useful for enrolment and for otherrelated purposes.

Lyngdoh administered a pledge by the participants that ascitizens of the country, they will uphold the democratictraditions of the country and the dignity of free, fair andpeaceful elections and to vote in every election without beinginfluenced by considerations of religion, race and others.

He gave away certificates to some election officials fortheir good work.

State Election Commissioner P Ramakanth Reddyadministered the pledge in Telugu.

Several former election officials in the state alsoattended the function. They gave away prizes to students whowon various essay-writing and other competitions conducted inthe run up to the National Voters'' Day.