New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that voters in Bihar and eight assembly constituencies going to by-elections can now use one of twelve alternative photo identity documents in addition to the standard Voter ID (EPIC) to cast their vote.
The move, the commission said, is aimed at facilitating voter identification and preventing impersonation at polling stations. Nearly 100% of eligible voters in the state have already received EPICs, and the ECI had directed all Chief Electoral Officers to ensure delivery of EPICs to new voters within 15 days of the final publication of electoral rolls.
Electors on the Voter List can display any one of 12 alternative Photo ID apart
from EPIC to voteRead more: https://t.co/GxQzHoRXIl pic.twitter.com/vscslV16wW
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) October 10, 2025
For voters unable to present an EPIC, the ECI has authorised the use of documents including Aadhaar Card, MNREGA job card, bank or post office passbooks with photographs, health insurance smart cards, driving licenses, PAN cards, passports, pension documents, service identity cards issued by government or public sector organisations, official identity cards of MPs, MLAs and MLCs, smart cards issued under the National Population Register, and the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card.
The commission emphasised that the presence of a voter’s name on the electoral roll remains mandatory to vote. In addition, special arrangements will be made at polling stations to ensure the dignified identification of women wearing burqa or purdah, with lady polling officers present to maintain privacy.
