Voter Registration Process: How to Register to Vote in India?

Voter registration is the process through which eligible Indian citizens enrol themselves in the electoral roll to vote in elections. Through voter ID online registration, citizens can complete voter ID registration easily using official Election Commission portals. Voter registration can be completed online or offline, making the process accessible across India.

Key Highlights

• Voter registration can be done by Indian citizens aged 18 and above.
• You can register online via the Voter Services Portal or offline at the Booth Level Office.
• Required documents include address proof, date of birth proof, and passport-sized photos.
• Form 6 for new voters, Form 6A for NRIs, Form 7 for deletion, and Form 8 for corrections.

What is Voter Registration?

Voter registration is the process through which an Indian citizen enrolls their name in the electoral roll maintained by the Election Commission of India. Only registered voters are eligible to vote in parliamentary, state, and local elections.

Once registered, the citizen is issued a Voter ID card (EPIC), which confirms that the individual is:

• An Indian citizen
• Aged 18 years or above
• Listed in the electoral roll of a specific constituency

How to Register to Vote in India Before the Due Date?

Indian citizens can register to vote either online or offline.

Online voter registration

• Step 1: Visit the official Voter Services Portal.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Sign up’ option on the top right corner of the homepage.
• Step 3: Enter the mobile number, email ID and captcha code and click the ‘Continue’ button.
• Step 4: Enter ‘First Name’, ‘Last Name’, ‘Password’, ‘Confirm Password’, and click the ‘Request OTP’ button.
• Step 5: Enter the OTP received on the mobile number and email ID and click the ‘Verify’ button.
• Step 6: Log in to the Voter services portal by clicking the ‘Login’ button on the homepage, entering the mobile number, password, and captcha and clicking the ‘Request OTP’ button.
• Step 7:  Enter the OTP received on your mobile number and click the ‘Verify & Login’ button.
• Step 8: Click the ‘Fill Form 6’ button on the ‘New registration for general electors’ tab.
• Step 9: Enter all the details on Form 6, which includes personal details, relatives details, contact details, Aadhaar details, date of birth details, address details, and declaration and upload the required documents in the given sections and click the ‘Preview and Submit’ button.
• Step 10: Check if the entered details are correct and click the ‘Submit’ button.

Offline voter registration

• Step 1: Visit the Booth Level Officer’s (BLO) office and obtain Form 6 or download Form 6 from the Voter Services Portal by clicking the ‘Download’ button on the ‘New registration for general electors’ tab
• Step 2: Fill out Form 6 accurately
• Step 3: Submit the required documents and the filled form to the BLO.

Verification Process

After submission of the voter registration application (online or offline), the Booth Level Officer (BLO) conducts field verification.

During verification:

• The BLO verifies the applicant’s address and identity documents
• Residential details are cross-checked as per Election Commission guidelines
• Any mismatch or false information can lead to rejection

If verification is successful:

• The applicant’s name is added to the electoral roll
• The Voter ID card is issued and dispatched, usually within 15–21 days

If verification is unsuccessful:

• If discrepancies are found, the application is cancelled
• The application must be resubmitted with the necessary corrections

Eligibility Criteria for Voter Registration in India

The individuals who fulfil the following conditions are eligible for voter registration in India:

• Citizen of India
• 18 years of age
• Have a permanent address in India

The following are not eligible for voter registration:

• A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) having citizenship of another country
• An individual with an unsound mind
• An individual convicted of certain crimes
• An individual serving a sentence of imprisonment for an offence

Documents Required for Voter Registration 

Applicants must furnish the following documents:

• Address Proof:
  • Utility bills (Water, electricity or gas bills that are not older than a year).
  •  Current passbook of a public sector bank, scheduled bank or post office.
  • Registered rental or lease agreement (in case of a tenant).
  • Registered sale deed (in case of own land).
  • Aadhaar card.
  • Indian Passport.
  • Revenue department’s land-owning records, including KisanBahi.
• Proof of Date of Birth:
  •  Certificates of class X or class XII issued by the CBSE, ICSE or State Education Boards containing the date of birth.
  • Birth certificate issued by the competent local body, municipal authority, or Registrar of births and deaths.
  • Driving license.
  • Aadhaar card.
  • PAN card.
  • Indian Passport.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (the photo should be taken in less than six months before submission).

Forms Required for Registering to Vote 

There are several forms for voter registration to cater to diverse circumstances and needs, which are as follows:

• Form 6
  This is the form for registering to vote or applying for a Voter ID card by Indian citizens above 18 years.
• Form 6A
  An NRI who is a citizen of India and has not acquired citizenship of any other country can get a Voter ID by filling out this form.
• Form 6B
  This is the form to link the Aadhaar card with Voter ID.
• Form 7
  This form is used to get the name deleted from the existing electoral roll.
• Form 8
  When individuals want to modify, add or correct entries in their Voter ID, they must fill out this form.

Check Voter Registration Status

You can check voter registration status online through the official government portal.

• Step 1: Visit the official Voter Services Portal.
• Step 2: Click the ‘Login’ button.
• Step 3: Enter the mobile number, password and captcha code and click the ‘Request OTP’ button.
• Step 4: Enter the OTP and click the ‘Verify and Login’ button.
• Step 5: Click the ‘Track Application Status’ tab.
• Step 6: Enter the reference number, select state and click the ‘Submit’ button.
• Step 7: The voter registration status will be displayed on the screen.

The reference ID is a unique number assigned to your voter registration application. You will get the acknowledgement slip when you submit the Form 6 application, which will contain the reference ID number. 

You can also check voter registration status by visiting your area's Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and providing your name, date of birth, and address details. The ERO will check and give you the voter registration status.

Importance of Voter Registration in Indian Democracy

Voter registration is fundamental to the functioning of Indian democracy. It is important because:

• Only registered voters can legally cast a vote in elections
• It ensures fair representation by linking voters to the correct constituency
• It prevents duplicate or fraudulent voting
• It allows citizens to participate directly in democratic decision-making
• Without voter registration, an individual cannot vote, even if they meet the age and citizenship criteria.

Mistakes to Avoid while Registering Voter ID Online

A few things to watch out for while Voter ID Card online registration are:

• Ensure that you are using the correct form to register for a Voter ID:
  • Form 6- for first-time voters
  • Form 6A- for NRI voters not having citizenship of another country
  • Form 7 - to object to an application for inclusion on the electoral roll
  • Form 8 - for correction of details on an existing Voter ID
• You need to ensure all the supporting documents have been submitted along with your registration to ensure that all the details provided by you are correct.
• While filling out the form, you must ensure all the details are error-free. If any such error does occur, the same will be reflected on your Voter ID. Always double-check the information you fill in the form for spelling errors or any other errors.

Final Word

Completing your voter registration is essential to exercise your right to vote in India. Through online voter registration, you can easily ensure your details are up-to-date and be ready to vote in upcoming elections.

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