Photo-electoral rolls to be used in polls for first time

For the first time, Photo Electoral Rolls (PER) will be used throughout the country, except in three states, during the Lok Sabha polls starting next month to prevent impersonation and facilitate easy identification of the voter.

Out of 543 parliamentary constituencies, PER will be used in 522 as well as in all the assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Orissa, according to the Election Commission.

However, PER will not be used in the states of Assam, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir due to volatile situation and other logistics problems which did not allow the process to be completed.

"Electors who have been provided with Electors' Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) shall be identified through EPIC only," the Commission said.

The Commission said photographs of 82 per cent electors were printed in the electoral rolls. In consonance with the past practice, EC decided that compulsory identification of voters will be made in the Lok Sabha elections, the three assembly polls and in the bye-elections to other assemblies through PER.

After the revision of rolls, the total electorate as of January 1, 2009 is approximately 72 crore as compared to 67 crore in 2004.