Lucknow: Residents of Uttar Pradesh waiting for their Voter ID cards may soon receive them at their home addresses. Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has announced an update regarding the distribution of pending Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPICs).
According to the announcement, Voter ID cards for applicants registered before July 28, including those whose cards were delayed, have now been received and will be distributed shortly.
For people whose names were added to the electoral rolls after July 28, the cards are expected to be delivered by December 31, 2026. The Election Office has also set a new target of delivering Voter ID cards within 15 days of a person’s name being included in the electoral roll.
Voter ID Cards to Be Delivered Through Speed Post
The Election Office has decided to use the postal service to deliver Voter ID cards directly to registered voters in Uttar Pradesh.
Under this arrangement, EPIC cards will be sent to the addresses provided by applicants. If a card cannot be delivered because of an incorrect or incomplete address, it will be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
The ERO may subsequently forward the card to the concerned Booth Level Officer (BLO), who can take further steps to ensure that it reaches the eligible voter.
This process is intended to make card distribution more convenient and reduce the need for voters to visit election offices personally.
Why Were Voter ID Cards Delayed?
The Election Office has identified several reasons behind the delay in issuing and distributing Voter ID cards.
One major factor was the extensive Special Summary Revision exercise conducted between October 27, 2025, and April 10, 2026. During this period, more than 90 lakh new names were added to the electoral rolls, significantly increasing the number of cards that needed to be prepared and distributed.
Delays in the tendering process for printing Voter ID cards also contributed to the problem.
As a result, many applicants had to wait considerably longer than expected to receive their identity cards.
All Pending Voter ID Cards Targeted for Delivery by December 31
The Election Office has finalised the list of pending Voter ID cards and set December 31, 2026, as the target date for completing their distribution.
Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has also expressed regret over the delay of 377 days and assured voters that efforts are being made to prevent similar problems in the future.
Going forward, the department aims to ensure that newly registered voters receive their EPIC cards within 15 days of their names being added to the electoral roll.
The revised delivery arrangements are expected to make the process faster and more convenient for voters across Uttar Pradesh.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the information provided regarding Voter ID card distribution in Uttar Pradesh. Delivery timelines and procedures may change depending on Election Commission instructions and administrative requirements. Voters should check the official Election Commission or Chief Electoral Officer website for the latest updates regarding their EPIC cards.