Port Blair, Feb 11: To prevent electoral fraud, Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) was introduced by the Election Commission of India in the year 1993 and with passage of time and in view of major advances of technology; the Commission has decided that the quality of cards, security features and other specifications shall be further improved.

In this line, as per the ECI’s instruction new security featured EPIC was introduced in A&N Islands since last Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Roll - 2023. The new features like in card size, thickness, hologram, Micro text, Ghost image, Guilloche patter, QR code etc. are enhanced in new EPIC cards.

Those electors who are registered during Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Roll - 2023, in revision 2, 3, 4 of continuation updation and in final revision 2024 are eligible to get this new security features EPIC card.

The printed EPICs are distributed to electors through Postal Department. For smooth and safe deliver of EPIC cards to enrolled electors. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Andaman & Nicobar Islands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Postal Department, A&N Islands.

As on date total 11,586 EPICs were handed over to Postal Department out of which approximate 9000 EPICs are distributed to electors. Similarly, 10,720 EPICs pertains to electors registered during Special Summary Revision of photo electoral roll - 2024 are printed and it will be received soon from printer and will be handed over to Postal Department by next week for speedy delivery to eligible electors.

The Chief Electoral Officer, A&N Islands, Shri B S Jaglan, IAS will hold a meeting on 12.02.2024 with Postal Department, A&N Islands in his chamber, Secretariat, A&N Administration, Port Blair to discuss the speedy the delivery of EPIC cards to electors in view of upcoming General Election to Lok Sabha-2024.