The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that voters whose names appear on the electoral rolls can use any one of 12 approved photo identity documents as an alternative to the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) while casting their votes in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Bihar will go to the polls in two phases — on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. The poll body has issued a set of updated guidelines to ensure smooth, transparent, and fair conduct of the elections.
The Commission stated that EPICs have been issued to nearly 100% of registered electors in Bihar, with clear instructions to Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to ensure delivery of EPICs to new voters within 15 days of the publication of final electoral rolls.
However, to facilitate voters who may not possess their EPIC at the time of voting, the ECI has approved 12 alternative photo ID documents that can be produced for identification at polling stations.
List of 12 approved identity documents
- Aadhar card
- MNREGA job card
- Passbook with a photograph issued by a bank or post office
- Health insurance smart card issued under the Ministry of Labour or the Ayushman Bharat scheme
- Driving licence
- PAN card
- Smart card issued under the National Population Register (NPR)
- Indian passport
- Pension document with a photograph
- Service identity card issued by the Central/State government, PSUs, or Public limited companies
- Official identity card issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
The Commission reiterated that the presence of the voter’s name on the electoral roll remains mandatory to be eligible to cast a vote.
Special arrangements will also be made at polling stations to facilitate the dignified identification of purdanasheen (burqa or purdah-observing) women in the presence of lady polling officers or attendants, ensuring privacy and convenience.
EC bans AI-generated campaign videos
In a significant move to curb misinformation, the Election Commission on Thursday banned the use of AI-generated videos during election campaigns. The directive, applicable to political parties, candidates, and campaign teams, aims to prevent manipulation of voter perception through deepfakes or synthetic media.
The ECI clarified that any use of artificial intelligence to distort facts or mislead voters will be treated as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
“No candidate or political party will be allowed to use AI-generated videos in any form to campaign against opponents,” the Commission said in a statement.
The ECI’s twin directives — allowing flexible voter ID options and banning AI-generated content — reflect its focus on enhancing voter convenience and safeguarding electoral integrity ahead of the high-stakes Bihar polls.
