A voter ID card is very essential as it not only allows you to vote but also acts as a valid identity proof. Only individuals who possess a voter ID card will be allowed to cast their votes. The voter ID card is an unique identity proof for Indian citizens.This allows you to choose the right political party to form the government. India is a parliamentary democracy. Separate elections are held to elect candidates for Lok Sabha or the People’s House and Vidhan Sabha or State Legislature.

The Election Commission of India is a Constitutional body which looks over the entire election process. It is responsible for conducting elections in free and fair manner. The Chief Election Commission has total control over all elections to the Parliament of India, to the State Legislature, to the office of the President and to the office of the Vice President.The voter ID card is issued by the election commission of India. The Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC)  is issued by the election commission to make the election process efficient and to conduct elections in a fair manner. The voter ID card can also be used as a proof to buy tickets online,to buy Tatkal tickets, to get passport etc.The Election Commission has set up separate websites for each state. All voting related tasks are just a click away.

How To Apply For Voter ID Card?

To apply for voter ID card, you must fill Form 6. There are two methods of applying for voter ID card

• Applying online through election commission website
• Downloading Form 6 and submitting by post or personally to VREC office

To apply online for Voter ID card, go to your respective state election commission website and fill in the necessary information.If you are a new user, you need to create a username and a password. After creating a username and a password, log into your account.Upload your passport size photo in the given space.You need to upload a soft copy of one address proof and one identity proof.After filling in the application, submit the application.

You can also apply by downloading Form 6 from the election commission official website.Fill in all the information and attach your passport size photo in the given space.You have to attach one address proof and one identity proof along with the application. Submit the duly filled in application form either by post or personally to the VREC office.

A copy of the following documents are necessary to apply for voter ID card

Address Proof (Any one):

• Ration Card/Passport/Driving license/Income tax return filed
• Bank/Kisan/Post office Current Pass Book
• Latest Telephone/Electricity/water bill in the name of the applicant or in immediate relation’s name

Identity Proof (Any one):

• Birth Certificate
• Driving License
• Passport/PAN card
• High school Certificate

To find your State Election Commission Official website, click here.

The Booth Level Officer (BLO) of your area will visit the address mentioned in your application.The BLO will verify the photograph with you personally.He will confirm your address of residence.If you did not submit your address proof and age proof while submitting your application form, you can submit it to your Booth Level Officer when he comes for verification.

How To Apply For A Duplicate Voter ID Card?

Voter ID card is essential for casting your vote.It is also a valid identity proof.But it so happens that you lose your voter ID card. To apply for a duplicate voter ID card, you must download Form 002 from the election commission official website. You can apply for a duplicate voter ID card only if your original voter ID card is lost or damaged. You have to submit the duly filled in application along with a penalty of INR 25. The procedure to apply for a duplicate voter ID card is given below

• You have to file an FIR in the nearest police station
• Download Form 002 form the election commission official website and fill in the required information
• Attach your passport size photo, one address proof and one identity proof
• Attach a copy of the FIR along with your application
• Put all the documents together and submit your application in the election commission office

For more information , click here.

 I Am An NRI, How Can I Apply For Voter ID Card?

There are many Non-residential Indian citizens living all over the world. People who meet all the factors given below can apply for voter ID card.

• Holds Indian citizenship ( only one citizenship)
• Has a valid passport with Indian address
• Wants to possess a voter ID card
• Suitable authority to certify the place of residence in foreign land
• Has no criminal or offensive record
• Must be above 18 years of age
• Must not be debarred by election commission of India

To apply for voter ID card, visit the election commission official website and click on enroll as NRI voter.This will direct you to Form6A. Fill in details like constituency, applicant details, details about applicant’s family, description of absence etc. Attach a softcopy of the following documents

• Address proof of Indian residence
• Indian Passport
• Address proof of residence abroad
• Age proof
• 2 passport size photo

All NRI applicants can check their application status online. To do so, visit the election commission official website. Click on ‘Know your  status’ link.Then fill the required details like your application number and key. Information about your application can be accessed here. For more information, visit How an NRI apply for voter ID card Online

I Have Received My Voter ID Card But There Is A Mistake, What To Do?

If there is a mistake in your voter ID card, visit your state CEO website and download Form 8. Fill in all the required information along with a proof for correct information. Do not forget to attach one address proof and one identity proof. Submit the duly filled in application form in VREC of your assembly constituency. In case the mistake is from the end of election commission officials, correction will be done free of charge, if the mistake is from your end you have to pay INR 25 along with your application.

How To Check My Name In The Voter’s List?

After the verification of your application, your name will be included in the voter’s list. To check your name in the voter’s list online, visit election commission of India official website. Click on’Check your name in voter’s list’ link and select your state. This will lead you to the respective state CEO official website. You can check your name in the voter’s list in two methods, either by your name or your voter ID number (EPIC number).

You can also check your name in the voter’s list by visiting your respective state election commission website instead of logging on to election commission of India Website.

You can check your in the voter’s list offline by sending a text. To do so, you have to send a text in a particular format specified by your state election commission.

Information related to elections and other voting related tasks can be easily accessed through election commission of India website. For updates about your assembly constituency, you can visit your state election commission website.