EC Starts Process to Issue EPICs for New Electorates Across Assam

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in Assam: The process of distributing the EPICs (Electors' Photo Identity Cards) to the new voters across the Assam State has already commenced; and it will be completed within a short time, informed sources in the State Election Department on Thursday. These cards will be delivered free of cost at the homes of such voters.

In Assam, the EPIC is mandatory for exercising the right to franchise. In the absence of EPIC, a voter will have to furnish alternative government-issued documents to establish one's identity during the time of polling.

Election Department data indicate that according to the final 'Photo Electoral Roll-2021', of the 2,29,92,505 electors in Assam, a total of 4,20,792 are new voters. Of them, while 2,36,893 are new male voters, 1,83,899 are females.

Meanwhile, the assam authorised firm of the department has already sent 4 lakh completed EPICs to the State's Chief Electoral Officer at Dispur. From there, the election photo identity cards(EPIC) will be dispatched to the offices of the 50 Election Officers of the State. Finally, the EPICs will be delivered at the respective homes of the new voters. The responsibility of delivering the cards at the destinations has been reposed on the BLOs (Booth Level Officers).

Talking to The Sentinel, Election Officer of Kamrup (Metro) Jharna Patgiri said, "As on date, a total of 48,000 new EPICs have reached for the district. These will be distributed to the BLOs within Friday. Each polling station has a BLO."

The official also pointed out that despite several awareness programmes, around 3,000 electorates are yet to provide their passport-size photographs for the EPICs.

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