New Delhi / Bihar – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that its directive to verify the identity of burqa or veil-wearing women at polling booths is not a new policy, but rather a longstanding rule established in 1994 during the tenure of then Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan.
Facing criticism and demands from opposition parties to revoke the directive, the Commission emphasized that the practice is rooted in a three-decade-old order aimed at ensuring transparent and fair elections without compromising voter dignity.
As per the 1994 circular, polling stations are to provide separate enclosures for verifying the identities of women who wear veils for religious or cultural reasons. This system aims to respect privacy while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced that trained Anganwadi workers will be deployed at all polling stations to assist with the identification process in a dignified manner, particularly for burqa-clad voters.
Bihar is set to go to the polls in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The Commission confirmed that special arrangements will be in place at all voting centers to uphold the voter verification protocol.
This move reinforces the ECI’s commitment to inclusive yet secure elections, balancing voter rights and electoral integrity, especially in culturally sensitive regions.
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