Question : ELECTION IN J & K

(a) whether the Election Commission has made it mandatory to possess Identity Cards issued by the Election Commission in J&K elections;

(b) whether possession of the Identity Cards was to prevent fake voting and enable voting by genuine voters only in elections held in J&K;

(c) whether the Government Employees having their own Identity cards issued by their respective offices were allowed to vote in the absence of Identity cards issued by Election Commission; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI K. JANA KRISHNAMURTHI)


(a) The Election Commission had issued an order directing that all electors in the State of Jammu and Kashmir who had been issued with their Electors` Photo Identity Cards (EPICs), would have to produce their cards to exercise their franchise. However, since the use of EPICs for the purpose of voting was being introduced for the first time in the State, the Commission had permitted the electors, who had not yet obtained their EPICs to vote, provided their identity was otherwise established through certain prescribed alternative documents.


(b) With a view to preventing impersonation of electors, so as to make the right of genuine electors to vote under section 72 of the Jammu and Kashmir Act, 1957 really effective, a special scheme to issue EPICs to voters was devised. The Commission has, as a matter of policy, been insisting on the production of EPICs or other alternative documents of identification by the voters, for establishing their identity at all elections starting with the general election to the Legislative Assembly of Harayana held in January-March, 2000.


(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) Does not arise.