National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP): Main Features

National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP): Main Features

Question: National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) is one of the latest initiatives of the EC for free and fair elections. Discuss the main features of this initiative.

• NERPAP aims at providing an error free, purified and authenticated Electoral Roll

• Linking and authentication of EPIC data of electors with Aadhaar information is being done

• Electors have also provided facility to feed Aadhaar number and EPIC number at National Voters Service Portal or submission of SMS/email/call centre/documents copy regarding these details to Booth Level Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and so on

• BLOs also collect data through door to door survey on voluntary basis

• Under NERPAP, no electoral service should be denied on ground of non furnishing of Adhaar number

• ECI will aim at elimination of bogus voters in the nation through NERPAP

• Under Provision of Section 31 of the Representation of People Act 1950, more than one voter ID is illegal. NERPAP provides those with multiple registrations to come forward and rectify the errors.

Facts and Stats

• EPIC card is the Voter ID Card

• EPIC stands for Electors Photo Identity Card

• EPIC Card Scheme was first implemented in 1979 in Sikkim

• Citizens of India above or 18 years old on first January of the year for which the electoral roll is being prepared can register as voters in constituencies where they reside