Tamil Nadu election: EPIC valid across State if voter is on electoral roll, says ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) clarified that an elector may use an Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of a different Assembly constituency. Such a card will be accepted as valid identification, provided the elector’s name appears on the electoral roll of the polling station where they intend to vote.

This clarification is significant for voters who have applied for a new EPIC after migrating, but have not received it yet. So, even if a voter presents an EPIC issued in another constituency anywhere in the State, it will be accepted as proof of identity, so long as their name is listed in the electoral roll of the concerned polling station.

At the same time, in a statement, Archana Patnaik, Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, made it clear that the possession of an EPIC or any other form of identity prescribed by the ECI will not entitle a person to exercise their vote unless their name is found in the electoral roll of that particular polling station.

Overseas electors, who are registered in the electoral rolls under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, based on the particulars in their Indian passport, shall be identified only on the basis of their original passport (and no other identity document) at the polling station.

Other ID proofs

Electors who are not able to produce an EPIC shall produce one of the following alternative photo identity documents: Aadhaar card, MGNREGA job card, passbooks with photograph issued by banks or post offices, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour or Ayushman Bharat Health Card, driving licence, PAN card, smart card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian passport, pension document with photograph, service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by Central or State governments, PSUs or public limited companies, official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, or MLCs, and Unique Disability ID (UDID) card issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.