It is not new that there are many non-residential Indians working in various countries across the world. Some are working for decades while few have just ventured out for study-cum-work option. In any case, there are many NRIs who…

1). Hold only one citizenship – Indian citizenship

2). Want to vote in India or possess an ID card to vote

3). Have a valid passport with an Indian address

4). Have a suitable authority to certify the place of residence in the foreign land

5). Have no criminal or offensive records

…And, these Indians can apply for their ID card to vote. If they apply correctly, they will not only get their voter ID card but also get their name listed in the electoral roll in the same constituency where the Indian address has been mentioned in the passport.

How do NRIs Apply for Voter ID?

Many Indians living abroad visit India and submit the relevant papers to the ERO of their constituency and apply for the voter ID card. However, visiting India all the way just for the election card may not be feasible to many.

So, online voter ID registration is done where the NRI completes the formalities of filling up the form and uploading the relevant soft copies of the documents.

To apply for ID card you need to…

• Visit your state’s CEO website.
• Access Form 6A (in the subhead, Overseas Elector)
• Fill in the form, such as Constituency, District, State, information about the applicant, applicant’s family, visa details, residential address of the applicant living abroad, description of absence, etc
• Upload the documents to certify the form details. these include soft copies of the Indian passport, address proof of the Indian residence (it must be mentioned in the passport as well), age proof, address of residence abroad (it must be certified by an authority), two passport size photographs.

The online voter ID card registration is possible as per Representation of the People’s Act of 1950.This Act was passed in 2010 and took effect from February 2011. The address in the foreign country must be attested by an officer from the Indian Mission staying in that country.

How to Check ID Card Status

It is possible to also go online and check ID card status without bothering anybody. You need not come to India or contact the Indian Embassy to check the status of your ID card registration. Here is how it works:

• Visit your state’s CEO website once again.
• Click ‘Know your status’ link. A series of options are available.
• Place the appropriate options and key in your Application ID number.

… The ID card status is displayed. It may take a couple of months or more to get your electoral card. Check how much will it take to get your ID card or where is your application stuck by going online. Once the electoral card is verified and sanctioned, you will get a dedicated number. You can use this number for getting the election identity card. The verification will also ensure that their name is listed in the electoral roll.

But Can NRI Vote without Landing in India?

The NRI must be available in India to cast the vote. In fact, he or she must be present in the constituency and visit the polling booth to cast the vote. There is no possibility of voters to cast their votes in postal ballot.

Nevertheless, ID card is a valuable entity for NRI as they can show the card to buy apartments, open bank account in India, and much more. It is also a prestigious card which says that you are a valuable citizen of India – even though you may be working or living abroad. For any issues and concerns, you can always refer this card. That’s the reason why NRIs apply for the voter ID card and update their names in the voter list.

So, if you are living abroad for quite some time, don’t worry about losing touch with India as the ID card will help you be in contact with your native land.

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