India is the world's largest democracy and as such it is our responsibility as the citizens of this country to exercise our right to vote. Exercising their right to vote, allows the citizens to choose how their future will be shaped while aiding in the retention of the country's sovereignty.
The Election Commission of India issues the Voter Identification Card, Voter ID, or the Election Photo Identification Card (EPIC). It has all the details of the person eligible to vote and serves as a proof of identity. It helps prevent fraud during an election.
Persons eligible to vote and apply for Voter ID Card
- Citizen of India
- Above 18 years of age
- Having a permanent address in India
Details in Voter ID Card
The card contains the following details of the cardholder
- EPIC number: a unique serial number
- Photograph
- Hologram of the State
- Name of the Father/Spouse
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Residential Address
- Signature of Issuing Authority
How to Apply for a Voter ID Card
A voter ID Card is to be acquired on the successful filling and filing of Form 6. Form 6 has the following details:
| Number and Name of Assembly Constituency. |
| Number and Name of Parliamentary Constituency. |
| First name, Middle name and Surname in the Language of State and English. |
| Name and Surname of Father/Mother/Husband/Wife/Legal Guardian in the Language of State and English. |
| Mobile number of self or relative mentioned in 2. |
| Email ID of self or relative mentioned in 2. |
| Aadhaar details if available. |
| Gender of the applicant. |
Date of birth of the applicant in DD/MM/YYYY format and self-attested eligible documents of proof of date of birth to be attached to the Voter ID Card application like:
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Full Address of Present Ordinary Residence and self-attested copy of eligible documents of address proof to be attached to the Voter ID Card application like:
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| The category of disability of the applicant if applicable is to be selected along with the input of the percentage of disability and whether the Certificate for the same is attached. |
Details of any family member already included in the electoral roll residing with the applicant in the current address. Following are the details:
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| Declaration by the applicant about the truthfulness of the details entered. |
| Date, Place and Signature of the Applicant. |
| A photograph of the applicant is also to be attached. |
| Once the details are verified a Voter ID Card shall be issued to the applicant. |
1. Online Method
- Go to the Voters' Service Portal here.
- Click on Sign-up
- Enter your Mobile Number and Email Address and start the account creation process by entering the captcha code.
- Enter your First name, Last Name and the password two times and click on 'Request OTP'.
- After entering the OTP received on the registered Email ID and Mobile Number, click on 'Verify and Login'.
- Select the 'Fill Form' option to fill Form 6 which is the New Registration for general electors.
- Enter the required details in Form 6.
- Upload all the relevant documents given above.
- Click on 'Preview and Submit'.
- Check the details for any mistakes and click on 'Submit' when confident there are none.
2. Offline Method
- The Applicant should visit the nearest State Election Office and ask for 'Form 6'.
- Applicant should fill in Form 6 with all the necessary details and provide the supporting documents accordingly.
- This filled-in 'Form 6' should be submitted along with the supporting documents to the Election Office.
- Once Form 6 is verified the Voter ID Card will be issued.
3. Online and Offline Method
- Applicants should go to the Voters' Service Portal here.
- Download Form 6 from the tab New Registration for general electors.
- Fill out the required details in the form.
- Submit Form 6 with the photograph and applicable supporting documents to the nearest election office.
- Once the verification of the documents and form is complete, the Voter ID Card shall be issued to the citizen.
Eligible Documents Required to Apply for a Voter ID Card
- Proof of Identity such as Aadhaar, Driver's license, Indian Passport etc.
- Proof of Date of Birth such as Birth Certificate, PAN card etc.
- Proof of Address such as Utility Bills of at least 1 year, Bank Statements etc.
- Photograph of the eligible voter.
Tracking Status of the Voter ID Card
A unique reference number shall be provided to the applicant at the time of registration. This can be used to check the status of the application online,
- Visit the Voters' Service Portal here.
- Click on the 'Login' option.
- Login by entering your mobile number, password and captcha code.
- Enter the OTP.
- Once login successfully, click on the 'Track Application Status' tab.
- Enter the unique reference number, select your state and click on the 'Submit' button.
- The status will then be displayed.
The same tracking can be done offline as well by visiting the nearest State Election Office and providing details such as name, date of birth and address to the officials to receive the status of the Voter ID Card application.
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