Chennai Corporation on ‘EPIC’ drive to get voter card for homeless

As part of its effort to ensure 100 per cent voting, the Greater Chennai Corporation is working to provide Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to all the users of the night shelters in the city.

“We have identified nearly 150 eligible voters among those using the night shelters. All of them would be issued with voters ID. Of the 150, we have so far applied for 108 through the NGOs maintaining the night shelters,” a Chennai Corporation official attached to night shelters wing said. For those users, who do not have valid proof of address, the civic body has applied by providing the address of the respective night shelters where they stayed. 

The Chennai Corporation is running as many as 37 night shelters in the city and 13 special night shelters. While special night shelters are built in government hospitals to cater to the needs of relatives and attendants of patients, homeless persons rescued from the city roads use the general night shelters. 

“Apart from the 150 inmates identified, other homeless persons seem to be having voter identity cards. The ongoing drive is to encourage them to vote. We will ensure that the identity cards are distributed in time. Applications of other inmates will be sent in a few days,” the official added. According to Chennai Corporation data, around 1,900 homeless persons regularly use the 37 night shelters. 

Meanwhile, the civic body had organised an event at the night shelter in Teynampet, where homeless senior citizens are staying, to create awareness about the importance of casting votes.

ON THE ROLL

37 night shelters house nearly 1,900 homeless persons in the city 

Most of the inmates have voters’ ID card 

150 eligible persons staying in night shelters identified  

Applications  of the remaining persons to be sent soon to EC