Tuesday, December 27 2005 18:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Intrigued over 92 per cent Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) distribution in poll-bound West Bengal, the Election Commission today (Dec 27, 2005) asked poll officials to undertake a thorough verification of the exercise to ensure the cards reached genuine voters.

In a communication to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state, the EC said the five EC teams that toured the state recently found 'glaring irregularities' in some distribution cases.

"The EPICs have been distributed in a most casual way in violation of Commission's existing instructions," EC sources said.

The Cards of a number of voters have been handed over to one person under his signature or almost all cards have been distributed with acknowledgement receipt obtained in the form of thumb impressions, which have not been duly verified by any official, the sources said.

The teams have particularly noted such types of distribution in Suti-I Block of Murshidabad, Nurpur G P in Malda and Rajnagar Block in Birbhum, the sources said directing that responsibility should be clearly fixed for such lapses, the EC said.

It also sought an explanation of such delinquent officials and action taken in the matter should be intimated to it by January five, the sources said.

Asking the poll officials to forthwith make a 100 per cent verification of relevant records of EPIC distribution, the EC said the officials should submit a report along with a certificate of verification at every level, the sources said.

The District Electoral Officers would also initiate action against officers responsible for any lapse in distribution of EPIC found.

"It should be ensured at any cost that each and every EPIC prepared is distributed to the voters properly since the Commission has decided that such electors whom an EPIC has been issued shall be required to produce it at the time of poll and voting on the basis of any alternative document will not be allowed in their case", the sources said.

The Commission also directed the poll officials involved in the special summary revision of electoral rolls in the state to be careful while taking a decision on the acceptance or rejection of a claim.