Date:12/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/12/stories/2005081219380400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Voter card drive intensified

Staff Reporter

Cards will be issued in all 12 Assembly constituencies

BANGALORE: The Election Commission of India (ECI), which began the process of issuing photo identity cards to eligible voters of Bangalore through the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP) election cell from July 1, has intensified the drive.

The drive will continue till all the voters of Bangalore are given the cards, the Joint Chief Election Officer, H.C. Nagendra, and the Bangalore Urban District Election Officer, B.S. Shekarappa, who is also the BMP Joint Commissioner (Administration), said here on Thursday.

They told presspersons that the photo identity cards will be issued in all the 12 Assembly constituencies. "The drive has been completed in Malleswaram and Rajajinagar constituencies. But we will consider having another round later for those who have missed getting the cards there," Mr. Nagendra said.

All those who missed it out during the photo identity card sessions in the past and whose names are included in the voters' list updated up to January 1, 2005 can avail themselves of the facility. Computerised photo identity card centres are being set up in the Assembly constituency limits, which will also function on second Saturdays, Sundays and government holidays, he said.

Mr. Shekarappa said that those who have noticed discrepancies in their old photo identity cards can apply for duplicate ones by paying Rs. 25. The fee will be waived if the cards have names mis-spelt and wrong addresses. "But people should demand a receipt after paying the fee," he said.

He explained that cards for voters, whose names are missing in the voters' list and whose names are not included at all, will be issued only after they submit the prescribed form (No 6) to the Assistant Revenue Officer's (ARO) office concerned.

Replying to queries, Mr. Nagendra said each photo card will be given a unique identity number, which cannot be duplicated anywhere in the country. "If a voter has changed his residence but has a card with the old address on it, he is still eligible to vote. But if the person wants to get the address changed in the card, he can apply for a duplicate card by paying Rs. 25. After verifying the valid address proof, the voter's name will be deleted in the earlier ARO range and included in the new area," he explained.

He said individual notices with information on the centres for voters of each polling booth, their locations and the particular dates on which the cards will be issued in a particular area, are being sent to property owners.