Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the latest update on Allowed ID Cards / Documents for Voting for all voters in Bihar and the upcoming bye-elections of 2025. As per the new notification issued on 7 October 2025, voters whose names appear on the electoral roll can now show any one of 12 alternative photo identity documents apart from their Voter ID (EPIC) to cast their vote.
This new rule aims to make the voting process easier for citizens who may have lost or not received their Voter ID cards. The Election Commission has already issued EPICs to nearly 100% voters in Bihar and directed state CEOs to deliver cards to new voters within 15 days of final publication of the electoral roll.
12 Allowed ID Cards / Documents for Voting
If your name is on the voter list but you do not have your Voter ID card, you can still vote by showing any one of these approved photo identity documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- MGNREGA Job Card
- Bank or Post Office Passbook with photo
- Health Insurance Smart Card (Ayushman Bharat / Ministry of Labour)
- Driving License
- PAN Card
- Smart Card issued under National Population Register (NPR)
- Indian Passport
- Pension Document with photo
- Service ID Card (issued by Central/State Govt., PSU, or Public Limited Company)
- Official ID Card for MPs, MLAs, or MLCs
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issued by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
These IDs have been recognized by ECI to help genuine voters identify themselves at polling booths and to stop impersonation.
Name on Voter List is Mandatory
Having your name on the voter list is a must to be eligible to vote. Even if you carry any of the 12 valid ID cards, you cannot vote unless your name appears in the official Electoral Roll. So, it is advised to check your name in the voter list before the election day on the official ECI portal.