IT News
Imphal, April 18:
District Election Officer (DEO) of Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana, has stated that photo voter slips are insufficient as standalone identification documents for voting purposes. Electors without an Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) must present one of the 11 alternative photo identity documents to establish their identity.
The acceptable alternatives include a Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, MNREGA Job Card, Aadhaar Card, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the Ministry of Labour’s scheme, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank or Post Office, Pension document with photograph, Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt, PSUs, Public Limited Companies.
To uphold the integrity of the electoral process, the DEO further said that stringent legal measures are in place. She said section 171 C of the Indian Penal Code stipulates that threatening any candidate, elector, or other individuals with injury can result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine, or both. Additionally, Section 4 of the COPTA 2003 Act designates public places, including Polling Stations, as ‘No Smoking and Tobacco-Free Zones.’
She further encouraged the citizens to refrain from accepting bribes. In case of encountering bribery attempts or threats/intimidation of electors, immediate reporting is advised. Reports can be made to the toll-free number 1950 of the Complaint Monitoring Co or at Mobile No. 9089584328. Alternatively, citizens can utilize the Election Commission’s c-VIGIL app to lodge complaints regarding violations of the model code of conduct (MCC).
