1. Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) for the general elections to the legislative assemblies of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I) which go to polls on 23rd April, 2026 (Thursday).
2. VIS contains voter’s details, Polling Station location, date and time of poll and a snapshot of the polling station map along with a list of Do’s and Don’ts to guide the voters on poll day. A QR code also helps the voters in faster searching/matching of elector details. VIS also helps in reducing crowding at polling stations and helps in faster polling.
3. It may be recalled that the Commission had, in one of its initiatives, issued instructions to make VIS more readable and accessible for the convenience of voters. Accordingly, the part number and the serial number of the voter has been made clearly legible on the VIS for ease of identification and use.
4. VIS are being distributed by the BLOs concerned personally to the voters by visiting door to door. The process is to be completed at least 5 days before the day of poll to all enrolled electors.
5. To make the VIS accessible and voter-friendly, the Commission has also issued instructions that they should only be in the languages in which Electoral Roll is published for the assembly constituency.
6. To ensure wholesome constructive participation and active engagement of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the election process, it has been directed to issue Accessible Voter Information Slips (AVIS) with Braille Features to Persons with Visual Impairment or Blind, over and above the regular VIS.
7. BLA/Candidate or their agents may accompany the BLOs during distribution of VIS.
8. Any unauthorized distribution/ possession of VIS (election material) shall be considered as violation of the relevant provisions of the RP Act, 1951 and the BNS and is punishable with imprisonment or fine or both.
9. Voter Information Slip shall not be accepted as a stand-alone identification document by a voter for the purpose of casting one’s vote in the poll. Electors can use any one of the 12 authorised ID proofs apart from the EPIC to cast their votes.

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