Assembly elections will be held in Bihar in October-November this year. The Election Commission started a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign to update the voter list, remove fake voters, and make the elections fair.

Now, the Election Commission has decided to link voter IDs with new technology. After the SIR ends on September 30, the final voter list will be released in Bihar. After this, voters will start getting new tech-enabled voter ID cards, called Smart Voter Cards.

What is a Tech-Enabled Voter Card?

  1. The new Tech-Enabled Voter ID Card is an updated version of the old voter ID card (EPIC).
  2. It will have the voter’s recent photo (updated during the SIR process).
  3. The card will have advanced security features like a QR code to stop fake or duplicate voter IDs.
  4. The new voter card will come in two formats: a physical card and a digital card called e-EPIC.

What is e-EPIC?

  • The digital voter ID is called e-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card).
  • It is a secure PDF file that cannot be edited.
  • It has a QR code, voter’s serial number, part number, and other details.
  • It can be downloaded on a smartphone or computer and works like a real voter ID.
  • Voters can use either the physical card or the digital card.

Why is e-EPIC being started in Bihar now?

  1. Assembly elections will be held in Bihar in October-November this year.
  2. According to the draft voter list released on August 1, Bihar has 7.24 crore voters.
  3. The Election Commission says this new card will make verification at polling stations easy.
  4. Fake voting will not be possible, elections will be fair, and there will be little chance of voter list manipulation.

How will voters get the new voter card?

  • New voters (who filled Form-6) can first download their digital voter card (e-EPIC).
  • Existing voters can download the digital card by verifying their registered mobile number.
  • After that, physical voter cards will be sent to homes.
  • The Election Commission promises delivery within 15 days of application. Voters can track their card in real time via SMS or the NVSP portal.
  • Why is there a need for tech-enabled voter cards?
  • Voters will get their cards without delay.
  • Fake or duplicate entries in the voter list will end.
  • Elections will follow the Digital India initiative.
  • Voting will be valid even if the physical card is forgotten, as the digital card can be used.