Keypoints:
- On the occasion of National voters day, the Election Commission of India launched Digital Voter Card on January 5.
- Voters can avail the facility of Digital Voters Card in five upcoming state assembly elections as well.
- The e-EPIC, a digital version of the Elector Photo Identity Card, can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App and websites.
- The e-EPIC will be a non-editable secure PDF version of the EPIC that can be downloaded on mobile phones or in a self-printable form on the computer.
On National Voters Day, Union Minister Ravi Shankar launched the e-EPIC programme and distribute e-EPICs and Elector Photo Identity Cards to five new voters. Voters can avail this facility of digital voter cards in five upcoming state assembly elections as well. This digital version of the Elector Photo Card, can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App and websites.
Thus digital version of the voter card will be a non editable and a secured PDF version of the EPIC which will be smartphone friendly, it can be downloaded on smartphones or in self printable form on computer. This card can be stored by the voters on their mobile phones and can upload it on digi-locker or print it and self laminate it.
“The second phase will start from February 1. It will be open for the general voters. All those who have given their mobile numbers (linked one) they can also download their e-EPIC”, said ECI official.
All the freshly registered electors during 2021 and whose mobile numbers were provided while applying will get an SMS and can download the e-EPIC between January 25 and 31, 2021. All other regular electors will be able to download their e-EPIC w.e.f February 1, 2021 if they have a unique mobile number in the E-Roll. Otherwise they have to go through a KYC process first, before downloading the e-EPIC.
This e-Epic has many advantages. While the voter ID hardcopy is a bit cumbersome process, this digital version can be downloaded instantly with approval. Voters can print the card or store it digitally as per convenience. In case of migration, a single card would suffice, with only changed address in QR code, which can be downloaded afresh.On the basis of the data stashed in the QR codes in the downloaded version of the EPIC, voting rights can be availed.
