HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, May 7
With the Election Commission laying emphasis on improving EPIC and photo
coverage of electors, Goa has done significant progress in this regard and both
EPIC and photo coverage has improved to considerable extent.
In the Lok Sabha 2009, out of 10,19,977 electors 8,58,259 possessed EPIC to
form 84.15% of the total electors.
While EPIC coverage in North is 85.93%, the coverage in South is 81.93%. In
North district, the EPIC coverage is highest in Mandrem and Maem Assembly
segment being 94.74% each and the lowest coverage is in Taleigao Assembly
segment at 72.32%.
The photo coverage in Electoral Roll is less than the EPIC coverage since the
concept of Photo Roll ie roll with elector image is a recent introduction in the
State.
Out of 10,19,977 electors, 7,56,213 electors have their photo in the electoral
rolls, which constitutes 74.14% of total electors.
The photo coverage in North is 76.45% and in South it is 71.26%. In North
district, the highest photo coverage is in Maem Assembly segment with 90.51%
and the lowest photo coverage is Santa Cruz Assembly segment with 50.75%. In
South district, the highest coverage is in Sanvordem Assembly segment with
85.45% and the lowest coverage is in Fatorda Assembly segment with 62.49%.
The electors whose images are not available on rolls have the option of filling
form 001-B and provide photographs for inclusion on rolls. The elector opting
for this choice would get a replacement EPIC with new photograph, so that
image on EPIC matches the image on roll. However, in order to ensure that the
facility is not misused by absent electors, the presence is verified at the time
of deposit of application or at the time of collection of new EPIC.
The election department is planning to take up the exercise for universal EPIC
image coverage after election process is over.
