DIGITAL VOTER ID CARDS ROLLED OUT BY ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
The 11th National Voters’ Day was celebrated across the country on 25th January. President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology graced the event national level event held at New Delhi in a virtual, online mode. The Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sunil Arora, Election Commissioners Shri Sushil Chandra, Shri Rajiv Kumar and Secretary-General Shri Umesh Sinha were present during the event.
The theme for this year is ‘Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed.’ This is a reiteration of the commitment of Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct COVID-safe elections, as well as to make each voter informed, ethical and vigilant. The tireless efforts of the election machinery ensured that the facility of Postal Ballot was extended to Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens above the age of 80 years, and those quarantined due to COVID-19.
Commemorating the event of NVD, two unique digital initiatives were unveiled. The Commission mentioned that it is rolling out digital voter identity cards or e-EPICs which will be downloadable on mobile phone or in a self-printable form on the computer, after logging in from Voter Helpline Mobile App, Voter Portal (www.voterportal.eci.gov.in) or National Voters’ Service Portal (www.nvsp.in/).
The e-voter card is available in the PDF format which cannot be edited. It can be self-printed and laminated by the voter when required. The ID card can be stored on mobile phones and downloaded on personal computers. They can also be saved in facilities such as digital locker. Electors in poll-bound West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be able to use the e-voter card on polling days. Elections are due in these states and the union territory in April-May. While only newly enrolled electors with unique mobile number during SSR 2021 can download e-EPIC from till 31st January 2021, this facility will be extended to all other electors from 1st February 2021 onwards.
