EPIC mandatory for casting votes in bypolls

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission has made it mandatory for all the voters to produce Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC)for casting their votes in the ensuing bypolls.Other photo identification documents like PAN card, driving license and ration card  will not be allowed in the forthcoming bypolls to be held on June 12.Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat here on Friday, election commissioner Harishankar Brahma along with chief electoral officer (CEO) Bhanwarlal said that only those having EPIC will be allowed to exercise their franchise.Those who either lost the cards or did not  take the EPIC so far, have to produce the authenticated photo voter slip issued by the election officials for identification in the polling stations. These slips would be the only other authorised document accepted by the polling staff inside the booths, Brahma said.Brahma appealed to the voters to shun political parties which encourage distribution of liquor and money during polling time. The EC also warned the political parties against seeking votes in the name religion and caste.The Election Commissioner will visit Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) here to know the progress of manufacturing of Electronic Voting Machines, which will be used in 2014 general elections. These new EVMs will have a printing option where a print can be taken after the voter casts his vote.