Will Old Voter Cards Be Invalid? Election Commission Clarifies on Old Voter Cards

Patna (The Uttam Hindu): Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has put an end to voters' concerns about voter cards ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Concluding his two-day visit to Patna, he clarified that not all voters will be issued new voter cards and that old cards will remain fully valid.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Election Commissioner said, "Only those voters whose data has been changed or updated (such as photo, address, etc.) during the special revision will be issued a new voter card (EPIC) within 15 days. Those who have old voter cards and their data has not been changed will continue to have their cards valid for voting." He also clarified that other previously approved identity cards will remain valid for voting.

The Election Commission also clarified the ongoing controversy over the mandatory requirement of an Aadhaar card. Gyanesh Kumar said, "Providing an Aadhaar card was not and is not mandatory for inclusion in the voter list. According to the Supreme Court's order, Aadhaar is neither a proof of date of birth nor of citizenship." He explained that being an Indian citizen is the only requirement to become a voter.

The Chief Election Commissioner described the special revision of the electoral rolls as satisfactory, saying that the names of ineligible voters have been removed and new eligible voters have been added. He also stated that the Commission is working with the goal of completing the process before November 22nd to form a new government.