New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed electoral registration officers to provide recognised political parties with hard copies and searchable PDF versions of draft and final electoral rolls for each polling station, with the digital copies excluding voters' photographs.

The October 15 directive applies to the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories and also requires officials to share lists of additions, deletions and modifications.

"ERO, immediately after draft and final publication, in accordance with Rule 11(c) & 22 (c) of the Registration of the Electors Rule, 1960 (RER, 1960), shall supply free of cost two copies (one hard copy & one soft copy in reada...