Voter ID in Punjab

One of the most prominent pillars of a democratic government is the system of voting without which democracy as a notion will not exist. All citizens of India above the age of 18 are eligible for voting and voting is considered to be the fundamental right of a citizen according to the Indian Constitution. But in order to vote, apart from being eligible, the electors must also have a Voter ID or an EPIC card. A Voter ID is a constitutional document issued by the Election Commission of India and it primarily serves as an identity proof during elections. This document also acts as a valid address and citizenship proof. All the citizens of this country above 18 years of age who are not mentally ill or financially bankrupt may apply for a voter ID card. However, there are exceptions concerning people who can vote. Mentally unstable and financially bankrupt citizens of the country are not allowed to vote according to the Section 128 of the RP Act and Section 1126 of the Bankruptcy Code. If someone changes their address, then they must update the address on their voter ID card or else they'll be eligible for voting only in the old constituency. This article enlists the various ways in which one can procure their voter ID card. Individuals can apply for an EPIC through an online or offline medium.

How can you register for Color Voter ID in Punjab?

Below listed are the steps that can be followed to get a Color Voter ID:

• Visit the official website of Punjab.

• Click on the link particularized for the registration of new Voter ID.

• Enter the necessary details along with your contact number.

• Upload your passport-size photograph. Please ensure that the photograph is of good resolution.

• Submit the application.

• A code will be sent to the contact number/mobile number that you have mentioned.

• Enter the code.

• An identity code will be sent to you for your respective voter ID card.

• You will be receiving updates through SMS.

• The voter card will be sent to the residential address via post within 45-60 days.

Apply for Voter ID Card Online in Punjab

With the application process of all national identity cards being digitized, it is much more convenient to apply for voter ID card online in Punjab

You can follow these steps to apply online:

• Visit the website the official website of Punjab Election Commission.

• Click on the option E-registration.

• Under E-registration, there are two options, namely - Assembly Constituency and Council Constituency.

• Select Form 6 from Assembly Constituency.

• Open Form 6 and fill out the form accurately.

• After all the details are entered click on submit and it will be sent to the Punjab Election Commission.

• An application number is generated that can be used by the applicant to trace their voter ID application.

• Then a Booth Level Officer will tour your place to check whether every detail that you have furnished is correct or not.

• In case you need any help concerning this or have a doubt, you can dial the toll-free number 1950.

How Can You Apply for Voter ID Card Offline in Punjab?

Even if the nation has gotten digitized, not everyone has access or even basic skills to complete the application process online. And even if they have the skills, some people prefer the slow method of applying in person. These people can still apply for a voter ID card offline in the state by contacting their nearest electoral office.

You can follow the process described below to apply for voter ID offline in Punjab:

• Obtain the application form and other listed forms from your nearby electoral office. Form 6 (Application for insertion of name in electoral roll), Form 7 (application form for deletion of an eligible voter's name from the electoral roll), Form 8 (application form for correction of the details in voter ID card) and Form 8A (used to apply for transposition of an eligible voter’s name in the electoral roll) are the election ID card related forms. As a new applicant, you must fill up Form 6. You must also submit necessary KYC documents such as your identity proof, your age proof and residence proof. You can submit copies of your passport, driving license, Aadhar card, SSLC Book, Ration Card, rental/ lease agreement, latest utility bill or LIC Policy paper among others accordingly.

• Please remember to submit information of your family members who already own Voter ID cards. This can definitely help in rushing the procedure.

• Go to the nearest Electoral Registration Office to supply the documents. Upon verification, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) assigned by the ERO will visit your residential address to check whether all the information provided by you is correct. To give a voter ID for all listed electors, regular trips are made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) at Designated Photographic Locations (DPIs). Such drives are highly in media from time to time.

How to Trace the Status of Your Voter ID Application in Punjab?

Tracking Voter ID Status Online

• To know the status of your application online, you can visit the Punjab Chief Election Officer website.

• You may prefer to check your application status using your Application ID or your EPIC Number.

• Choose the relevant form:

  • Form 6

  • Form 8

  • Form 7

  • Form 8 A

• Enter your ID or EPIC Number and click on Search to generate your results.

Tracing Voter ID status via SMS

To trace your Voter ID status, you can send the following SMS.

CEOPJB<voter ID number> to 7738299899

Contacting the Election Commission of India Helpline Number

You can call the toll-free helpline number of ECI, 1950. The helpline is reachable on all working days between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Process of Correcting Voter ID Card Offline in Punjab

As said before, online correction may not be convenient for many people for reasons such as lack of awareness, access or knowledge. But the process of updating the address offline in Punjab is easy as well. You can visit your nearest electoral office and secure Form 8 from the counter. Fill it up correctly and submit it. You'll be required to submit the documents that justify the corrections that you wish to make in your voter ID card. For instance, if you have married recently and wish to drop your maiden name, the commission might ask you to submit a copy of your marriage certificate or an affidavit. After submission, the standard verification process will ensue. An officer from the Electoral Commission of India will be visiting your place of residence for verification of the documents provided by you, and then you can collect your new voter ID card.

Process of Updating the Address Online in Voter ID in Punjab

There are various reasons why someone might wish to change the address in their voter ID Card. Your address might have been misspelled, or you might have moved to a different location within the state. To ensure that the address is updated, you must submit Form 8 to the Electoral Office. The process is not as complicated as before primarily due to the online services provided by the Election Commission.

If you have married and moved to a different location, you might wish to change the address listed on your voter ID. To complete the procedure of changing the address, you'll be required to provide your marriage certificate as proof along with the address proof. Students are requested to submit a declaration signed by the head of the institution/school so that their address can be updated to the hostel address/rental house address. If the company or government office that you work for transfer you to a different place, and you wish to update the new address on your voter ID card, you will be required to give a declaration signed by the senior-most official in your department in terms of position. The approval for such applications doesn't take long if the documents provided are valid.

You can follow these simple steps described below to change your address:

• Log in to the Chief Electoral Officer's website of Punjab using your credentials.

• Click on 'Electoral Services'.

• Select 'Change of Address'.

• A form will be displayed on the screen.

• Enter your EPIC Number.

• If you don't remember your EPIC Number, then you can click Don't Know EPIC and provide the details like your district and constituency and your EPIC will be traced by the system.

• Enter the old and current address on the form and click on 'Agree to the Declaration.'

• After self-verification of the application, click on Submit.

• After the ECI verifies your documents, you'll be receiving your updated voter ID card.

The Process of Updating the Address Offline in Voter ID in Punjab

You can also update your address offline. The offline method for updating address on your voter ID includes obtaining the form from the nearest electoral office, filling it up and submitting it.

The procedure for submitting the form for change in address of voter ID in Punjab is described below:

• Fill up Form 8A correctly and sign on it. It is explicitly designed for change in address.

• Submit the application form along with a copy of all the necessary documents in the nearest Electoral Office.

• The Election Commission verifies your details and a new voter ID card is issued to you in a few days.

Procedure to Apply for Duplicate Voter ID Card Online in Punjab

There are situations when the voter ID card is misplaced or lost. In such situations, there is an urgent need for generating a duplicate voter ID card. The state election commission of Punjab makes a provision for issuing a duplicate voter ID card.

Procedure for applying for a duplicate voter ID card has been explained below:

• Visit the Election Commission of India website.

• Download form EPIC-002.

• If the voter ID card has been lost or stolen, then you will be required to submit the FIR along with the application form.

• If the individuals have torn or unusable voter ID card, they can submit the card along with the application form to the nearest Electoral Office.

• After the application has been verified, you will be receiving the duplicate voter ID card on your address through post or you may collect the voter ID from the electoral office.

Apply for Duplicate Voter ID Card in Punjab Offline

Voter ID card is the most important document. It not only allows people to vote in local, state and national elections but also serves as a proof of identity and address.

You can apply for another voter ID card through offline mode if your card has been stolen or lost by following this simple procedure:

• Visit the nearest electoral office and collect a copy of Form EPIC-002.

• Fill up the form and submit it to the nearest electoral office with all the relevant documents. If you have misplaced or lost your voter ID card, then you also need to submit a copy of the FIR as well.

• If your card is torn, then you must send the card along with the application form.

• The electoral office verifies the details and a new voter ID card is issued.

Search for Polling Station and Assembly in Punjab

To search the polling station, the steps specified below must be followed:

• The elector must visit the official website of CEO, Punjab.

• On the search tool, the name of the town or village that you live in has to be entered.

• In the next step, the locality/ward/street has to be entered.

• A captcha code will be given to you that should be entered correctly in the box provided.

• Click on the search to see the result.

What is the most effective way to apply for Voter ID on the website of CEO Punjab?

The most useful way to apply for a voter ID is by following the procedure mentioned below:

• Visit the official website of the CEO of Punjab.

• Click on the option 'Enrol Your Name for Voter ID.'

• Click on the option, and you will be directed to a section where you can log in.

• Click on the register if you don't have a login ID.

• You'll be required to fill in the details like your mail ID and contact number in the next section.

• Enter the Captcha Code.

• Verify all the details and click on register.

• After this step, you will be receiving an SMS from the ECI department.

• Now, you will be required to log in using your username and password.

• The information that would be required for setting up your profile is your name, postal address, father's name, contact details, etc.

• Login to the website and select Form 6.

• Fill up Form 6 and submit it. Form 6 is used as an application for registering as a new voter. Take a printout of the necessary documents and submit it in the nearest polling booth.

• Collect the acknowledgment slip at the time of submitting your voter ID application.

NRI Punjab

The NRIs who want to cast their vote in the Indian elections must be registered. According to the amendment of Representation of People's Act, the eligible citizens who have settled outside India also have the right to get registered under the Indian electoral roll. NRIs will be registered under the constituency of the residential address on their passport.

Steps to Complete NRI Registration

Download Form 6A, fill it up and take a printout of the form. Provide a passport size photograph and a photocopy of your passport.

If you have any of the documents mentioned below then attach them along with the application form:

• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) – USA residents.

• Permanent Resident Card – Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

• Permanent Resident Identity Card – Macau residents.

• Permanent Identity Card – Hong Kong residents.

• Yellow Photo ID card – Switzerland residents.

• Red Photo ID card – Slovakia residents.

• Blue Photo ID card – Singapore residents.

• MyKad Card or My PR Card – Malaysia residents.

To fill up Form 6A, you can follow the guidelines mentioned in the official website of Election Commission of India. Prior to filling up the form, make sure that you have all the required documents.

After you have applied, an ERO will visit your residence to verify the details provided by you. Verification of the application form along with all the documents takes 7 days. After the details provided by you are successfully verified, you will be notified through SMS/post/email. You can also visit the website of Punjab CEO to find out the electoral list.