Voter ID in West Bengal

Voting is as much a responsibility as it is a right. Democracy in our country came after being a colony for 200 years, and it is important for people to realize the importance of polling. Voting is the backbone of democracy and the entire structure of this country is built on the foundation of voting. If we as citizens are unaware of the structure of elections and the politics of the country, it could be detrimental to the democracy. West Bengal is situated in the eastern part of India and it is known fondly as the City of Joy. In this state, people are known to be highly politically aware. This state has 294 assembly constituencies and 42 members of parliament. In West Bengal, like other states, it is mandatory to own a Voter ID card to cast a vote during elections. An individual must be 18 years old and must fulfill the other criteria of eligibility to cast a vote in local, state and national level elections.

Apply for Voter ID Card Online in West Bengal

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

You can follow the simple steps to apply online:

• Visit the website the official website of West Bengal 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 West Bengal 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 West Bengal?

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:

• 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 also 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, Aadhaar 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.

Application Forms Available in West Bengal

There are various elections forms listed on the official website of the chief election officer of West Bengal. Each form is designed for a distinct purpose. The applicant must be careful to get the correct form. The form names and their uses are given below:

• Form 6 is the application for including an individual's name in the electoral roll.

• Form 7 is the application form for deletion of a name from the electoral roll.

• Form 8 is the application form for correction/updating of details in the voter ID card.

• Form 8A is used to apply for the transposition of the name of an eligible elector in the voters' ID card.

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

Tracking Voter ID Status Online

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

• You can check your application status using your EPIC number.

• Enter your ID or house 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.

WBEC to 51969

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.

Apply for Duplicate Voter's ID Card in West Bengal

Voter ID card is the most important document. It not only permits 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.

Process of Making Corrections in Your Voter ID Card Online in West Bengal

If there is incorrect information in your voter ID card or you have to make any changes in the voter ID, then you can submit an application form to the electoral office along with the documents which validate the information.

Steps to follow for making corrections in your voter ID card:

• Visit the official website of West Bengal CEO.

• Click on Download Forms.

• Select Form 8. Form 8 is the application form used for the correction of details in the voter ID card.

• Download form 8 and fill in the details as requested.

• Submit the form and verifying documents to the nearest electoral office, where you will receive a confirmation from their side.

• After the verification of your application is complete, you will receive the updated voter ID card via post or you can collect it personally from the electoral office.

Process to Make Corrections in Your Voter ID Card Offline in West Bengal

You can also rectify the mistakes in your voter ID through offline mode. The process of making corrections in the Voter ID card through offline mode is described below:

• Visit the nearest Electoral Office.

• Request a copy of Form 8.

• For corrections in name, you must provide an identity proof along with the application form. For changes in address or date of birth, you must provide proof of address along with the application form.

• Submit the application form along with necessary documents to the electoral office.

• You'll be receiving an acknowledgment from the electoral office through mail or SMS.

• After your application has been verified, you'll be receiving your refurbished voter ID card with the updated information.

Procedure for Changing Address Online in Voter ID Card in West Bengal

When someone moves to a different location, it is important to update the address on voter ID card. The voters' name is then stuck off from the voters' list of the previous address and included in the list of the address about the current constituency. An application has to be filed with the electoral office and the procedure for filing the application form is listed below:

• Visit the official website of CEO of West Bengal.

• Click on Download Forms.

• Select Form 8A which is the form for transposing the name of an individual from one electoral list to another.

• Fill in the details accurately and take a print out. Make sure to provide the supporting documents along with the documents.

• Submit the completed form along with documents to the electoral office.

Procedure for Changing Address Offline in Voter ID Card in West Bengal

An elector can follow these steps to apply for the voter ID card offline. The procedure for changing address offline is mentioned below:

• Collect Form 8A from the local electoral office.

• Fill up all the details and attach the proof of your current address with the form.

• Submit the form along with necessary documents to your local electoral office.

• Booth Level Officer (BLO) will tour your home to verify your address details..

• After the verification process is complete, the voter ID card along with the updated will be received. After the procedure is complete, your name will be included in the electoral roll of the constituency of your current address.