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The controversy over duplicate EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers has sparked political debate.

About Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)

EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) was introduced in 1993, as an official photo ID for citizens for casting their votes in elections.

It includes the voter’s name, age, address, photo, and a unique alphanumeric number (three letters followed by seven digits). The number includes a Functional Unique Serial Number (FUSN), specific to each Assembly constituency.

Until 2017, states manually allotted EPIC numbers using decentralized systems. Since then, the EC’s ERONET portal (a centralized digital platform) has been used to generate unique numbers. Replacement EPICs retain the original number.

Key Features

• It Includes the voter's name, gender, date of birth, father's name, address, and voter ID number.
• Contains various security elements to prevent forgery, such as holograms, watermarks, and microtext.
• Modern versions include a QR code that can be scanned to verify the authenticity of the card.
• Serves as proof of citizenship and address for various official purposes.
• Can be used as a valid ID proof for opening bank accounts, applying for passports, and other government services.

Security Measures

• Hologram: A special hologram is affixed to the card to ensure authenticity.
• Microtext: Contains tiny text that is difficult to replicate without specialized equipment.
• Watermark: Visible when held up to light, helping officials verify the card's legitimacy.

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e-EPIC

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

https://t.me/+hJqMV1O0se03Njk9