Voter ID Card

Voter ID Card or Election Card is provided to all the eligible Indians who can cast a vote. It is also known as the Voter Registration Card. The Election Card serves as proof of identity and address. It is accepted nationally as a KYC document. The document makes it easier to identify the voters and help in the process of voting in a democratic election. One can apply for it either online or offline. It takes about 5 to 7 weeks to receive the Card after application.

In this post, we will discuss the eligibility for Voter ID Card, uses of this card, application procedure, digital voter card, NRI voter card, things to keep in mind, the structure of the card, documents required, track Voter’s card application status, verifying the card details, what to do if voter’s ID not received, and FAQs.

Eligibility Criteria for Voter ID Card

Here are the eligibility norms for Voter’s Card:

  • An Indian citizen
  • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age and above
  • The person must have a permanent address

Uses of Voter Registration Card

Here are the uses of this document:

  • This card functions as proof of address and identity
  • It signifies that the person is a registered voter
  • This document is useful to avail of several government schemes
  • The card has features that identify the cardholder’s photograph and signature

How to Apply for a Voter ID Card?

A citizen can apply for this document in 3 ways as mentioned below:

1. Apply for Voter ID Card Online

  • Visit the NVSP (national voter’s service portal) website
  • Click the option for registration for a new Voter ID
  • Fill out Form 6 and submit it
  • Upload the soft-copy of the required documents
  • Also, upload the recent photograph
  • You will receive the ID Card after verification of the details and documents

2. Apply for Voter Registration Card Offline

  • Visit the nearby State Election Office
  • To apply, request for Form 6
  • Fill out the form with the necessary details
  • Attach the documents such as proof of identity, address, etc
  • Submit the filled-up form with documents at the election office
  • Voter ID will be issued after verification of the form

3. Apply for Election Card Partially Online

  • Visit the NVSP website
  • Get the Form 6 online and duly fill it with the required details
  • Submit the filled-up form with supporting documents and a photograph
  • This has to be done at a nearby election office either in person or through a post
  • You will receive the ID Card after verification of the details and documents

Digital Voter ID Card

The ECI (Election Commission of India) launched the facility of digital voter ID on 25 January 2021. It is also known as e-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card).

  • This is available in PDF format. The document is alike an e-Aadhaarand one cannot edit, but only print it
  • Till 31 January, this service was available only for those applicants who applied for the election card in November and December 2020
  • The digital voter’s card will be available for all from February 1, 2021
  • In case of loss of the card, it is possible to download a duplicate copy at a nominal fee of Rs. 25

NRI Voter Registration Card

NRIs (Non-resident Indians) also have the right to vote. So, they can apply for their Voter ID Card either online by filling Form 6A or offline in India. However, they must be present in the country and constituency to cast a vote. As of now, one cannot cast the vote remotely.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Applying for Election Card

Voter ID functions as a government-recognized identity and address proof. Thus, it is an important document. It also allows an Indian citizen to exercise his/her right and fundamental duty to vote in the democratic election. As this document has several uses, here are things to consider before dropping the application:

  • The applicant must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a voter ID card
  • One should apply only through government-approved centres and websites
  • The details an individual mentions in the application form should be correct
  • This information should be legally correct in all aspects
  • The person must submit a relevant copy of the required documents
  • After receiving the Voter ID, re-verify the information. If there is a need for any correction, then it is best to get the changes done in time

Structure of Voter ID

A voter ID has the following information:

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  • A hologram reflecting the symbol of the respective state/nation
  • Name, date of birth, and gender of the cardholder
  • Cardholder’s photograph
  • A unique serial number
  • Father’s name of the cardholder
  • At the rear end of the ID, there is the cardholder’s residential address
  • It also has the electoral registration officer’s signature

Documents to Apply for a Voter ID Card

Individuals have to submit the following documents for the Voter Identity Card:

  • Proof of address
  • Proof of identity
  • Photograph of the cardholder

How to Track Voter ID Application Status?

Applicants can track Voter ID status for the application made on the website of the State Election Commission. Each state in India has its election commission website. Here are the ways to track Voter ID status:

  • Visit the National Voter’s Service Portal
  • Click ‘Track Application Status’
  • Enter the reference ID
  • Click ‘Track Status’
  • You will be able to see the current status of the application

How to Verify a Voter’s ID?

If a cardholder suspects that the ID is a counterfeit, then he/she can verify the document with the Voter ID number. The person has to visit the Chief Electoral Officer’s official website of the state. Or, he/she has to visit the nearest office of a state election. Also, the individual has to check if their name is in the electoral roll to identify the details. In case of any error, the person must bring that to the notice of the officer.

Here are ways for Voter ID verification:

  • Visit the NVSP website
  • Click ‘Search in electoral roll’
  • You search by providing basic details or through an EPIC number
  • Enter asked details at relevant fields
  • Proceed to verify the details

Corrections in Voter ID Details

If an individual wishes to change or correct details in their Voter ID CARD, then he/she can do it online through the NVSP portal or visit the nearest election office for the correction procedure. If doing so online, here is the process on the respective website:

  • Click ‘Login/Register’
  • Provide username, password, and captcha to log in
  • Go to the section or correction the Voter ID entries
  • Fill out Form 8 and submit it with supporting documents
  • If doing offline, then submit the filled-out form and documents to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
  • After submission, the ERO processes the application and makes the required correction in the Voter ID

What to do If a Voter Registration Card Not Received?

If you do not receive the Voter’s Card, then follow the given steps:

  • Visit the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer or a nearby election office
  • Provide the reference number. This is the number that you get on submitting Form 6
  • Then follow the steps to track the status online/offline about the Voter ID application

Frequently Asked Questions about Voter ID Card

Here are the Voter ID FAQs:

To download the application form for Voter ID or enrolling your name in the electoral roll, visit the website of the Election Commission of India. Form 6 is also available offline at the offices of Electoral Registration Officers or that of their assistants. People can obtain the same from the Booth Level Officers of polling station areas.

One can drop an online application on the website of the Election Commission of India. He/she can also do so on the website of your State’s Chief Electoral Officer. Along with the duly filled application form, the person has to upload the required documents and his/her photograph.

You can submit any of the government-recognized proof of identity that bears your photograph. The same goes for proof of address, but a photograph on the document is not mandatory. Some of the acceptable documents are a Driving Licence, Passport, Aadhaar Card, Bank Passbook, Job Card, utility bills, etc.

Any Indian citizen of 18 years of age or above can apply for the election card. But there is a cut-off date to identify the qualifying age. This is calculated on the 1st of January for a year in which the Election Commission of India prepared the electoral roll. Terms and conditions for the age limit calculation are as per the Representation of People Act, 1950. For instance, if you attain 18 years of age on or after 2nd January 2020, then you will qualify for Voter’s card registration for electoral roll prepared after 1 January 2022.

For the application, resident Indians need Form 6, and NRIs require Form 6A. For Deletion or Objection in the electoral roll, a person will require Form 7. To change the applicant’s gender, date of birth, age, photo, EPIC number, address, name of relative age, type of relation, etc, one will need Form 8. In case an individual has to shift from a residence to another in the same constituency, then he/she has to report the information change through Form 8A.

To cast a vote in India, one has to register as a registered voter. The same is possible offline. Or, the individual can visit the website of the election commission and register there. In case a registered voter does not have a Voter ID Card for some reason, but his/her name is on the electoral list, then it is possible to vote. The person has to produce one of the following documents at the polling booth to be eligible to cast a vote:

  • PAN Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Driving Licence
  • Passport
  • Bank/Post Office Passbook with a photograph
  • Service identity card with photograph issued to employees by the state/central government, public limited companies, or public sector undertakings
  • Official identity cards issued to MLAs, MLCs, MPs, etc
  • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) Job Card
  • Health insurance smart card issued under Ministry of Labour Scheme
  • Pension order with a photograph
  • Smart Card issued by RGI (Registrar General of India) under the National Population Register
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