Patna: Three days ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Laloo Prasad Yadav today (Apr 17, 2004) urged the Election Commission (EC) to allow genuine voters without photo identity cards or other proofs to exercise their franchise.

"Denial of voting right is denial of democratic right of a citizen. The commission must take effective measures to ensure that the genuine voters exercise their franchise without any problem," he said.

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Elections would be held in 11 Lok Sabha constituencies of the State on April 20.

He said, there were a fairly large number of people living in remote areas who did not have voter identity cards or any other documents, which they could furnish as proof of their identity at the time of voting though their names figured in the electoral rolls.

It was the Commission's responsibility to ensure that no voter is denied their right to vote, Yadav said.

An all-party delegation had already met the Commission authorities and requested them to do the needful. RJD leaders would once again meet the chief election commissioner to urge him to look into the matter.

The State chief secretary too had informed the Commission about the matter as a huge number of electorate did not have photo I cards, he added.