The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced that voters listed on the electoral roll but unable to present their Electors' Photo Identity Card (EPIC) will be permitted to vote in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections by providing any one of 12 approved alternative photo identity documents.
The ECI issued a notification on Tuesday, to facilitate voters who cannot produce their EPIC on polling day, as outlined in a press note.
The approved alternative photo ID documents include: “Aadhaar Card; MNREGA Job Card; Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office; Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour/ Ayushman Bharat Health Card; Driving License; PAN Card; Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR; Indian Passport; Pension document with photograph; Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies; Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and; Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issued by the M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.”
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The ECI’s statement clarified its authority, stating, “Election Commission India (ECI) is empowered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 read with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to direct that Electors' Photo Identity Card (EPIC) be issued to electors to facilitate their identification and prevent impersonation at the Polling Station.”
The Commission noted that EPICs have been issued to nearly 100% of electors in Bihar and in the eight Assembly constituencies scheduled for bye-elections. Additionally, the ECI has instructed all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to ensure that EPICs are delivered to new voters within 15 days of the final publication of electoral rolls.
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The ECI emphasised that inclusion on the electoral roll remains a prerequisite for casting a vote. To enhance participation among ‘purdanasheen’ (women in burqa or purdah), the Commission has mandated special arrangements at polling stations.
The ECI’s statement read, “To encourage participation of 'purdanasheen' (in burqa or purdah) women, special arrangements shall be made at the Polling Stations as per extant instructions for their dignified identification in the presence of lady Polling Officers/Attendants while ensuring their privacy.”
The ECI also announced the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections, with the 243 Assembly seats set to go to polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, and vote counting scheduled for November 14. According to an ECI press release, the final electoral roll lists 7.42 crore electors. As of June 24, there were 7.89 crore electors, but 65 lakh voters were removed from the draft list. The draft electoral roll as of August 1, 2025, recorded 7.24 crore electors.
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