Is your black and white photo in the electors’ photo identity card (EPIC) blurred or beyond recognition? You can now get the photograph changed in EPIC. Not only that, it can be a colour photo too as the EPIC will be in the colour format.

Till now, the laminated EPIC came in a black and white format with a hologram and details of the holder such as name, father’s name, date of birth, address, and the unique serial number.

The Election Commission of India has decided to revamp the voter identity cards across the country to bring in uniformity and the exercise in Karnataka commenced on Sunday. Chief Electoral Officer for Karnataka Sanjiv Kumar told The Hindu, “Citizens who have turned 18 and applied (to enrol themselves in the electoral list), will receive their cards on January 25, 2020.”

At least 15 days

He said, “Citizens who already have a black and white card and want to get a new voter ID card can expect to see the new card within a minimum of 15 days (statutory period). The time frame can also exceed that limit depending on the case.”

For example, if a citizen applies for the card through a Citizens’ Service Centre (CSC), the application will go to an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for processing, and once the booth-level officer completes a spot check, the application is approved. The CSC will then intimate the applicant when to collect the ID.

An Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) said, “If you want a colour photograph, you need to either upload your photo through the National Voter’s Service Portal and complete the other formalities or go a CSC with a photograph and other documents. The representative at the CSC will scan the photograph and upload the application.” Those who have applied through the CSC can collect their card from that centre and those who’ve applied online can collect it from the ERO’s office.

How to apply

To receive a new card, a verification and authentication process must be completed. Citizens can complete the formalities by applying through the following avenues: ‘Voter’ helpline mobile app, the National Voter’s Service Portal, by visiting the Citizens Service Centres, by visiting the voter facilitation centre at the Electoral Registration Officer’s office, or at Bapuji Seva Kendras located in gram panchayat offices. To complete the formalities, documents prescribed by the Election Commission must be either uploaded online or brought to the relevant locations.