The Hindu : Karnataka News : Ration coupon as I-card for voters

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Thursday, May 08, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Ration coupon as I-card for voters

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Election Commission has included one more alternative documentary proof in lieu of Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) — computer generated temporary ration coupon, allowing voters to cast their vote in the coming Assembly elections. This is the only identity proof, which will be accepted without any photograph.

According to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Special Commissioner and District Election Officer B.S. Ramprasad, the coupon should contain the unique code, name of the family head, names of the members of the family and their relationship with the head.

In view of complaints from political parties that many of their polling agents to be appointed in polling booths to verify identity of voters do not possess EPIC, the commission has said any of the 17 alternative identity cards with photograph of the person, which are applicable to voters, will be accepted for polling agents too.

However, Mr. Ramprasad said, the ration coupon will not be an alternative identity proof for polling agents. If the agents posses none of the alternative identity cards, they should affix their photograph on a plain paper, write their details and get it attested by the Returning Officer concerned, Mr. Ramprasad said.

There is no relaxation in the condition that the agents to be appointed in a particular booth, should be a voter in the very same booth, he added.

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