Voting is a fundamental right as a citizen of India. If you are aged 18 years and above, then it is important you apply for a voter ID so that you can vote. You can apply for a voter id card either online or offline.
Every Indian voter who is registered receives a special identity number from the Election Commission of India, sometimes known as a Voter ID Card. Every voter receives an EPIC Number, or Electoral Photo Identity Card Number, in addition to their Voter ID Card. The EPIC Number, a 10-digit alphanumeric code made up of both letters and digits, is displayed on the front of the voter identification card. It is essential for exercising the right to vote in municipal, state, and federal elections since it acts as each voter's individual identification.
Online Enrollment Process for a New Voter ID Card:
The online enrollment process of a new Voter ID is very simple. All you have to do is the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the Election Commission of India (ECI) homepage, the official website for voter id registration.
Step 2: The website has everything you would need to know about the election process in India, from electoral rolls to the election schedules for upcoming elections across the country. It also has a list of guidelines for voters and various application forms to register to vote.
Step 3: There are a number of forms, based on the service you wish to avail. These range from name change, the inclusion of name in electoral roll for citizens residing in India, as well as separate forms for those who live overseas and members of the armed forces, those in government service, etc.
Step 4: You would have to select the form for new voter application, which is Form 6.
Step 5: To find the form you have to visit National Voters Service Portal. Under ‘Forms’ either download Form 6 or click on Form 6 to apply online if you are a resident of India.
How to Apply for a Voter ID Card Online?
In short, the steps involved in the online application process are as follows:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Voters’ Service Portal .
Step 2: There on the website under ‘Forms’ either click on ‘Fill Form 6’ or download the form and take its printout. Fill Form 6 if you are a resident of India. If you are an NRI then click on ‘Form 6A’.
Step 3: If you want to apply online, then register yourself by clicking on the ‘Sign-up’ button and providing your mobile number and email ID and other important details. If you are already registered, then provide your registered mobile number or EPIC number followed by the password and captcha and click on ‘Request OTP’. Enter the one-time password (OTP) and log in to the portal.
Step 4: Enter details and upload the required documents.
Step 5: Click on "Submit".
Step 6: Once you submit, you will receive an email at the email address that you have provided. This email will have a link to a personal Voter's ID page. You will be able to track your voter ID application through this page, and you should receive your Voter ID card in a month from your application.
Documents Required to Apply For a Voter's ID Card :
To apply for a voter ID card online, you would require the following documents:
- One passport sized photograph
- Identity proof- this could be a birth certificate, passport, driving licence, PAN Card or high school mark sheet.
- Address proof- this could be either ration card, your passport, driving license or a utility bill (phone or electricity).
Voter's ID Card Eligibility:
The eligibility criteria for Voter's ID Card can be summed up as follows:
- The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
- The applicant must have a permanent residential address.
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Process of Transition from an old Voter's ID Card to a new one:
The process of transitioning from an old Voter's ID card to a new one is fairly straightforward.
The steps for the same are listed below:
Step 1: Visit the official National Voters’ Services Portal at www.nvsp.in.
Step 2: Click on the ‘e-PIC Download’ option on the homepage.
Step 3: You will be redirected to a new webpage wherein you will be required to enter your EPIC number or Form Reference No. and select the state of your residence.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Search’ button.
Step 5: You will receive an OTP on the registered mobile number.
Step 6: Enter the OTP in the designated field and validate the same.
Step 7: Click on the ‘Download e-PIC' option and download the same.
Verification of Voter's ID Card:
The steps mentioned below have to be followed to complete the verification process of a Voter's ID card:
Step 1: Visit the official National Voters' Services Portal .
Step 2: Select the "Search in Electoral Roll" option.
Step 3: Fill in the form with the details required and verify the same.
Sections of Voter ID Form:
Form 6 is a comprehensive document that gathers all information about the applicant and is divided into sections. At the start of the form, you will have to choose the state or the province you are applying for the voter id card form, and select your constituency from drop-down menus.
The different sections of the online Voter ID form are as follows:
First Section:
The first section of the form contains information on the applicant's details. The first column requires you to fill in your name in both English as well as the regional language of your state/province. You would be required to fill in your gender, with a list of options to choose from a drop-down menu. Birth details follow next. Here you would have to fill in your date of birth or your age as on the day you are filling out the form, whichever one is known. You would have to fill in all birth details such as the state you were born in and the district or province. You can fill in the name of the village or town if you wish to.
You would have to fill in the name of either your mother/father/husband/wife, mentioning the individual's name and surname. You would also have to fill in what relationship you share, such as if the person is your father/mother/husband. This information is to be mentioned in both English as well as the regional language.
Second Section:
The second section deals with your address particulars. In this section, you would have to fill in your house or door number, which is optional. You have to provide the name of your street, locality, road or mohalla. Also compulsory is entering the name of your village or town. After this, you have to enter the name of the post office in your locality. Next, you would have to enter the pin code and the tehsil/ taluka or mandal or thana. After this you have to select your district from a drop-down menu. You can choose to fill in your email ID and your mobile number.
Third Section:
The third section is where you would have to enter the details of any family member who is currently registered as a voter in the same electoral constituency. You would have to enter the name of the person, their relationship (whether they are your mother, father or husband), their election photo ID number, also their constituency and serial number as it appears in the electoral rolls of the constituency.
You would also have to upload supporting documents like your photograph, address proof and identity proof.
Fourth Section:
The fourth section of the form is the declaration. This declaration confirms that you are a citizen of India who resides at the address you have provided in the form. It further states that you have not applied for a voter's ID card in any other constituency.
The last declaration is one with two options:
- The first states that this is the first time your name will be included on the electoral rolls in any constituency.
- The second option states that your name may be on the electoral roll, here you would have to provide the place where it could be registered, along with the date (in day, month and year format).
You would have to select one of the two options as applicable.
Once you have finished filling up the form, you can choose from the options provided. If you have finished entering all your information, you can select "Submit". In case you wish to continue filling it at a later date, you can select "Save", and complete the form whenever you wish. If you want to erase all the information you have entered, you can select the "Reset" button.
Benefits of Applying for a Voter ID or Election Card Online:
There are many benefits for voter id online enrollment. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Comfort: This is the biggest advantage of the online application process. Now, you do not have to travel to the electoral office in your constituency to obtain the form. This part used to be an oft-cited reason for not applying for the card, since quite a few eligible voters did not know where their electoral office was located, or did not find the time to collect a form during business hours. With the process going online, prospective voters can do away with this inconvenience. They are now able to download the relevant form and fill it up in the comfort of their homes.
- Track Voter ID Status : This is another advantage of applying for an election card/voter ID online. You can easily track your voter ID status online. Once you submit the form, you will start receiving regular updates on the status of your application.
- Quick processing : The application process moves faster when you apply online. Applying online would mean your voter ID would be delivered to your doorstep in a month's time, as opposed to the regular application process which would take much longer.
FAQs on How to Apply for Voter ID Card Online
- How can you find the status of your application for enrolment?
The application status for enrolment can be tracked by logging into the official voter portal (https://voterportal.eci.gov.in) and click on ‘Track Application’.
- How can you check your name in the electoral roll?
To check your name in the electoral roll, register your name by entering the email ID and verify the email ID by receiving the mail. Create an account password and on the homepage, click on Electoral Search. Enter the Voter ID details or number to search for a name.
- How can I get a new Voter ID card if I have lost my old Voter card?
To register a duplicate EPIC card, enter email ID and verify it by receiving the email ID. Create account password and select ‘Replacement of Voter ID’. Users need to verify the details using Voter number or details and provide the reason for replacement of voter ID. From three available options select the option for collecting Voter ID and select the payment mode. Preview the form and submit to obtain the reference ID for tracking the application.
- What are the various forms useful for registration as voter, correction, or change in address etc.?
The various application forms are Correction of entries, Overseas voter registration, Objection or Deletion, and Shifting Residence.
- How can I download e-EPIC if I misplaced my EPIC?
You can visit the Voters’ Service Portal to search for your name in the electoral roll, note your EPIC number, and then download e-EPIC.
- If I have a form-6 Reference Number but no EPIC number, may I download e-EPIC?
YES, you can download e-EPIC using the Form Reference number.
- Is there a charge for submitting an online voter ID card application?
No, there is no fee to apply for a voter ID card. The cost of submitting an online application is nothing.
- How long will it take for a voter ID card to arrive after an online application?
After submitting an online application, the wait time for the voter ID card can differ. It is based on the workload and verification process of the election authority. Most times, it takes between a few weeks and a few months for applicants to acquire their voter ID cards.
- Is a visit to a location required for voter ID registration online verification?
The election officials reserve the right to request a physical verification of the applicant's address in specified circumstances. An election official may come to your address to verify it if necessary.
- Can I use online registration to change my information on an existing voter ID card?
Yes, by filling out the appropriate form for corrections or modifications (for example, Form 8 for errors), you can update your information on an existing Voter ID card through online registration.
- How can I track my voter ID application status?
Visit the Voters’ Service Portal and click on ‘Track Application Status’. Login using your credentials and enter the portal to find the status of your application.