Voter ID

The multiparty system in India has encouraged the conception of a plethora of political parties in the state, district and national level. Elections are considered to be an integral part of democracy and it is necessary for the citizens of the country to have an identification proof stating their eligibility to cast their votes. Voter ID is an identification proof that can be used to prove the eligibility of an individual to cast his/her votes. The Voter ID card also helps the Election Commission of India to avoid any malpractices when it comes to the election. The voter ID card was introduced by the Election Commission of India.

What Is Voter ID Card?

Voter ID card, also called as the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), is a photo identity card that is issued by the Election Commission of India to all the eligible voters of the country. The purpose of this card is to predict the electoral roll accurately and prevent any cases of electoral fraud. It also serves as an identification proof when individuals cast their votes. The Voter ID card is known by different names such as the EPIC, election card, etc.

How to Apply for a Voter ID Card?

Eligible voters can apply for their voter ID either online, offline or through semi-online methods.

Online Method to Apply for Voter ID

The citizens can follow this method to apply for a voter ID card online :

• Visit the official website of Election Commission of India.

• Click on National Voters' Services Portal.

• Click on 'Apply online for Registration of New Voter ID'.

• Fill up the required details. Fill in all the 4 sections of Form 6.

• Click on Submit.

• If you wish to finish the details later click on Save and fill up the details according to your convenience.

• If you wish to change any details provided by you, then you can click on Reset.

• Click on ‘Upload’ to upload the scanned copies of all the required documents.

• Upload your photograph along with the documents.

• You can check the status of your Voter ID application by using the reference number.

Offline Method to Apply for Voter ID

If the individual doesn't wish to apply online, then they may follow the following the method described below to apply for voter ID offline.

• Visit the State Election Office and request for Form 6.

• Fill up all the necessary details and provide all the relevant documents such as the identity and address proof.

• After the details provided by you are verified, submit the form in the office.

• Your Election ID will be used within a specific period.

Semi-online Method to Apply for a Voter ID

• There is a semi-online method to apply for voter ID card.

• Visit the Election Commission or State Commission website.

• Download Form 6.

• Fill up the form with relevant details.

• Upload the necessary documents.

• Submit filled form at the Election Office by post or in person.

• Post the verification of the details provided by you, Voter ID will be issued to you.

Documents Required For Voter ID Card

The following documents are required for applying for voter ID:

• Identity Proof

• Address Proof

• Photograph

Voter ID Card Eligibility

Individuals must conform to the following criteria to apply for voter ID online:

• The applicant must be below 18 years of age.

• Applicants who belong to a specific category or are financially bankrupt cannot apply for voter ID.

Uses of an Election Card

Voter ID has many uses for an Indian citizen:

• It serves as a personal identification.

• It acts as an acknowledgment that the cardholder is an eligible voter.

• Includes several identification features like the photograph, signature, and fingerprints of the cardholder.

• The card has provisions to prevent the owner from casting their votes multiple times.

• The voter ID is also suited to the electoral requirements of the population with low levels of literacy.

• For voters who do not have a fixed address, it is highly beneficial.

Track Voter ID Application Status Online

Citizens can also track the status of their voter ID application through the official website of State Election Commission. All the Indian states have an Election Commission which implies that there is an official CEO (Chief Electoral Officer) website for each state. Applicants can track the application status of their voter ID application through these websites.

To track the status of the voter ID application, you'll be required to:

• Visit the electoral CEO website.

• Click on 'Know the Status of your Enrolment.'

• Fill up the basic details along with your Form Number.

• Apply on the National Voters' Services Portal.

• Click on Search your Name in Electoral Roll.

• You'll now be intimated with two options of tracking your application status.

• The first option is to fill up and submit the application number or EPIC Number and the State Number. This can help you in extracting your EPIC Card Number.

• The second option is to submit your details and get your Voter ID Card Status. You'll be required to fill up the following details.

  • Name

  • Date of Birth

  • Gender

  • State

  • Father's Name

  • District Constituency

• The voter ID applicants can use the reference ID provided to them during the time of applying to track their application status on the National Voters' Services Portal.

How to Register for Voter ID?

The eligible individuals can follow these steps to complete the application process. Applicants may register themselves as voters by requesting for Form 6 and then filling up the form. This form is then submitted to the Electoral Office along with the copy of necessary documents. After the verification of all the details provided by the applicant, the voter ID is sent to the applicant via post.

Online Voter Registration

The online registration process for voter ID involves visiting the official website of Election Commission of India and following a few steps to apply for the voter ID card. Many Indian citizens are still not aware of this facility. There are chances of human error creeping into the offline mode of registration but the online registration process is far more reliable and convenient than the offline mode. Through the online method, the applicant can easily track the status of their application.

What Can I do if I Haven't Received My Voter ID Card?

You can follow these steps to check the status of your application:

• Visit the link https://www.nvsp.in/Forms/Forms/trackstatus

• Provide the Reference Number for the online application

• Click on Track Status

• The status of your application will be viewed

• If you have not received your Voter ID card after the application, you are recommended to visit the DEO along with your Reference Number

How to Verify Voter ID?

You can verify the details on your Voter ID card by using the Voter ID Number. If you suspect that the ID is fake, you may verify the details through both online or offline modes. To verify your Voter ID details online, you can visit the official website of the CEO of your state and click on the relevant link to get the details of your Voter ID. You can check if your name is on the electoral roll via this procedure. If you wish to verify your details offline, you can do so by visiting the Electoral Commission's Office. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have their application number if they wish to verify their details at a later stage.

Voter ID Card Correction in Electoral Roll

The voter ID is issued by the ECI which has all the personal details of the voters like their name, address etc. The total number of voters is also reflected on the list. If an individual wishes to change/make any corrections in his/her voter ID, he/she can do so by using the forms that are generated by the ECI.

If your name is wrong in the voter ID, then you can fill form 8 highlighting the corrections that you wish to make in your voter ID. You will be required to submit the form along with relevant documents to the Electoral Registration Officer of your constituency.

The ERO takes appropriate steps to make the corrections in your voter ID. This form can be downloaded from the official website of Election Commission of India.

Fake or Defunct Voter ID Cards

Fake and defunct Voter ID cards are prevalent in India. Such cards are not reliable and they can't be used to cast a vote. These cards are often misused for other purposes where identification is required, for example, to buy a SIM Card.

Fields Included in a Voter ID Card

Voter ID card is a widely accepted identification proof in India. It facilitates people to cast their votes and it also acts as an identity and address proof for the cardholder. This card is issued by the ECI to all the eligible voters in the country. It comprises the following fields:

• Hologram sticker

• Serial Number

• Photograph of the card owner

• Name of the elector

• Card holder's parent's name

• Card holder's gender

• Age of the cardholder

• Residential address of the cardholder along with the signature of the issuing authority.

Why Is It Important to Have a Voter ID Card?

The voter ID card is an essential document for Indian citizens for the following reasons:

It acts as a proof of identity. It is accepted at various offices and institutions that require the individual to furnish a valid form of identification like gas agencies, insurance companies and other financial institutions. The voter is a mandatory document for casting votes during elections. If your name is on the electoral roll and you own a voter ID card, then you can cast votes during elections. The voter ID also allows people to register in their state of domicile. This is important if a person has migrated from one place to another and wishes to get enlisted on the electoral roll of that particular constituency.

Why Should You Vote?

Voting is a fundamental right of any citizen of the country living in a democratic society. It ensures that the leaders at the center or the state are trusted and elected by the people of the democratic country. The voting process is carried out in several stages from holding the elections of the Panchayat to electing the ruling party of the country. However, an individual must be eligible to cast a vote in the elections. Any individual in India above the age of 18 is eligible for voting, irrespective of their caste and gender. Additionally, the person must be on the list of the electoral roll and own a voter ID card. The voter ID card serves as both identity and address proof.

Points to Remember while Applying for a New Voter ID

Voter ID is one of the most important documents for the citizens of the country. It enables the citizens to carry out their primary duty. Voting is the foundation of a democratic country and it is mandatory for all the individuals to cast their votes. There are certain things that a voter must keep in mind before applying for a voter ID card.

• The applicant must be 18 years old.

• The applicant must not be mentally challenged.

• Applicant should not be financially bankrupt.

• The applicant must fill out Form 6 and provide relevant original documents while applying for a new voter ID.

• If an individual is applying online, he/she must ensure that it is done through the government websites.

• Individuals must ensure that all the details provided by them on the application form are correct.

• After receiving the voter ID, the applicant must check the information accurately to ensure that the information provided by them is correct.