The details of NREGA beneficiaries and their photographs in the database, wherever available, will be used for updating the PER.
The EC recently sent a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh expressing concern over the delay in achieving the 100 per cent coverage of PER and Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
The EC has suggested the chief electoral officer to update the PER with help of NREGA records and job cards.
Umesh Sinha, Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh, has now directed the district magistrates to follow the instructions.
He said: "District Magistrates have to conduct this exercise. District authorities have the database – like the address and photographs – of NREGA beneficiaries. These photographs could be used to update the PER."
According to EC authorities, 91.13 per cent voters in UP have been covered under PER, while 92.98 per cent have been issued EPIC so far. The EC has directed Sinha to achieve 100 per cent coverage of PER and EPIC in UP by the year-end.
Sinha said: "Not only NREGA, but database of people benefited under different welfare schemes are also available with the districts authorities that can be use to update the PER. The district magistrates will have to coordinate with the departments concerned."
For summary revision of electoral roll this year, about 1.28 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 350 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will be given training before September 30.
Summary revision of electoral roll will start from October. From November, the EC will start the exercise for management of the Assembly poll, scheduled in 2012.
Sinha’s office has now directed the district magistrates to organise EPIC Day with Tehsil Diwas in every district. On a Tehsil Diwas, organised fortnightly, district administration officials camp at one place and redress public complaints.
"In the same tehsil diwas, booth level officers will collect the application of voters for addition of their name in electoral roll and issue EPICs," said an official.