For people residing in any country, the election card is one of the most important documents. Especially in a country like India which has a huge population, the election card is much more than just an ID card. If you are 18 years old and want to vote, then you must have an election or voter ID card. The card with its several identification features like signature, photo, etc. makes it very genuine identity proof for the owner. The card offers amazing benefits to the person who owns it. In addition to being just a voting document, the card can also be used in various places for identity purpose. No matter who you are and where you are from, the election card entitles you to vote in any elections (local, state or national).

Election Card: Voting And India

India is the largest democracy in the world. The right to vote is at the heart of every democracy. We, the people, through our right to vote have the ultimate power to shape the destiny of the country by electing our representatives who will run the Government and take decisions for the growth, development and benefit of all the citizens.

All citizens who are 18 Years of age and a citizen of India can vote but their names should be in the electoral roll of their constituency.

Election Card

The voter ID card acts as a proof of identity. It allows the person to vote and elect a candidate of their choice. The ECI has started the system of voter ID card to avoid malpractices such as rigging, cross-voting, and bogus-voting

What Is The Use Of An Election Card?

Election card is essential to cast vote today. It is also important to:

• Register your name in the voter’s list if you change your residence in India
• Include your name in the electoral roll if you’ve got married and changed your surname and place of residence.
• Buy tickets online, such as railway tickets for AC and non-AC classes. It is also essential to have a photo identity card to buy Tatkal tickets.
• Get passports or other identity cards. The election card acts as a proof of identity, age, and place of residence.
• Election Id card also acts as a proof while voting.

How To Get An Election ID Card Online?

The first step for a voter towards owning an election card is to get registered with the Election Commission of his/her state. The process of getting an election card can be online or offline.

You can get the voter ID card online or offline. One should follow the given procedure to obtain voter ID card online:

1. Log on to the official site of your state’s Chief Electoral Officer.
2. Click on option which says Form 6 (also referred to as ‘Application for including name in assembly constituency voters list)
3. Enter your name, email ID and mobile number. A unique login number and password will be allotted to you.
4. Log on with the unique login number and password you have been provided.
5. Click on Form 6 online.
6. Fill the form completely and accurately.
7. Attach a passport-size color photograph.
8. Click the “Submit” button.

 How To Check Your Election Card Status:

Once the application form for the election is successfully submitted there is some amount of time before you receive your card. To check the status of your voter ID card, you must visit the website of your State Election Commission Office.

There is always a separate page that is provided for people to know the status of their election card. To check the status of your election card application online the voter have to simply enter their Application ID, Applicant Name, or House Number (which is allocated when you register online) and the form type (in this case Form 6). The CEO of AP has been one of the most successful implementer of this method. On some sites you can also enter your name or address to find out the card status. The state election commission of Delhi even has a SMS service as well as helpline number for voters within their region. All the Delhi voters had to send a message with their application number to 9433633333. They can also call on the number 1506 to inquire about their card status.

Election Card Corrections: How to correct a wrong photograph in my election card?

If you have received a wrong photograph in your election card you can submit FORM 8 to the local ERO with correct particulars. You will need to submit the documents for your ID proof, residence proof as well as the correct and latest passport sized photograph to get it fixed in the updated voter ID. Your application will then be verified and a new updated voter ID card will be issued to you.

Voter registration is a one-time exercise; however, whenever you change your place of residence, you must get your name on voter list shifted as well.

 How to apply and get a Duplicate Election Card?

One of the worst things that could happen is loosing or misplacing or damaging an election card. But thanks to the efforts of Indian Election Commission, getting a duplicate election card has become easy and simple. Below is the process through which you can get yourself an election card duplicate.

The first thing the voter must do is to file an F.I.R with the police about the lost election card. Then he/she must approach the office of the election authority of their area. The voter must get a form 002 which is used for issuing a duplicate card for elections. He/she then must submit completely filled form along with photos and suitable documents. The election authority will then issue a slip as acknowledgment of form submission. This slip must be kept by the voter until they are asked to show it on the day when they will be issued the duplicate copy of election card. The voter will also have to pay of Rs.25 as fine.

How to get your address changed in Election Card?

Changing any detail on the already issued election card is also called as transposition. Change of address in election card  also comes under this. If you want to change the address on election card you will have to fill form 8A.

Form 8 has three sections.

Section one requires you to fill Part Number, serial Number of the voter list in which your name is registered, EPIC and relation name.

In section two, you must fill the new address and in third section you should fill the part number of the area of the new address. Along with the fully filled 8A form you also need to submit address proof of the new address and copy of your election card. You can submit this form online by submitting its PDF on the site of election commission. You can also submit this form to the Electoral Registration Office (ERO) of your new area who will then send a Block Level Officer (BLO) to verify the documents. Once verified successfully, the address change on the election card will be done.