The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said while voter ID cards are preferred, they are not mandatory to cast a vote. The ECI has allowed voters to use a range of alternative documents as valid photo identity proofs at polling stations.
Earlier this month, the ECI announced that 12 alternative photo ID documents can be used by voters who do not have Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
These include:
1. Aadhaar card
2. MGNREGA job card
3. Bank or post office passbooks with photographs
4. Health insurance smart card issued under the Ministry of Labour
5. Driving licence
6. PAN Card
7. Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
8. Passport
9. Pension documents with a photograph
10. Service ID cards issued by central or state governments, public sector undertakings, or public limited companies
11. Official identity card issued to MPs, MLAs, MLCs
12. Unique Disability ID (UDID) issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
