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

Voter ID online registration allows eligible Indian citizens to enrol in the electoral roll and become eligible to vote in elections. The Election Commission of India provides a simple process to register online through the official voter services portal or offline through electoral offices.

Key Highlights

• Eligibility: Indian citizens aged 18 years or above can register
• Online Registration: Through NVSP or Voter Helpline app
• Offline Registration: At the Booth Level Office.
• Documents Required: Address proof, Date of Birth proof, and Passport-sized photo.
• Forms: Form 6 for new voters, Form 6A for NRIs, Form 7 for deletion, and Form 8 for corrections.
• Processing Time: Usually within 15 days after approval

Eligibility Criteria for Voter Registration in India

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

• Are an Indian citizen
• Have attained 18 years of age on the qualifying date (1 January, 1 April, 1 July, or 1 October of the year of revision)
• Are ordinarily resident in the constituency where you wish to be enrolled
• Are not disqualified from being enrolled as an elector

Documents Required for Voter Registration 

Applicants must furnish the following documents to apply for a Voter ID card:

I. Proof of Date of Birth (any one)

• Birth certificate issued by the competent local body, municipal authority, or Registrar of births and deaths
• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Certificates of class X or class XII issued by the CBSE, ICSE or State Education Boards containing the date of birth
• Indian passport 
• Driving license

II. Proof of Address (any one)

• Aadhaar card
• Current passbook of a public sector bank, scheduled bank or post office
• Utility bills (Water, electricity or gas bills that are not older than a year)
• Indian passport
• Registered sale deed (in case of own land)
• Revenue department’s land-owning records, including KisanBahi.
• Registered rental or lease agreement (in case of a tenant)

III. Additional Supporting Documents 

• Details of a family member already registered at the same address (with EPIC number)
• Disability certificate (if applying under PwD category)

IV. Passport-Size Colour Photograph

Attach one recent passport-size colour photograph (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm) showing a clear front view of the face against a white background (unsigned).

Forms Required for Voter Registration

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

How to Register to Vote in India?

Indian citizens can register to vote either online or offline.

Online Voter Registration

I. Through NVSP

Step 1: Sign-up on the National Voter Services Portal using your mobile number and email address.

Step 2: Enter the OTP received on the mobile number/email ID and click the ‘Verify’ button.

Step 3: Log in to the Voter services portal by clicking the ‘Login’ button on the homepage, using the registered mobile number/email ID.

Step 4: Click the ‘Form 6’ button under the ‘New Voter Registration’ section.

Step 5: Enter all the required details in Form 6, including full name, contact information, Aadhaar details, date of birth, address, details of a family member already included in the electoral roll at the same address, and category of disability (if applicable).

Step 6: Upload the required documents. 

Step 7: Click on the ‘Preview and Submit’ button. Verify the details. 

Step 8: Click ‘Submit’ 

Note the application reference number for status tracking. 

II. Through the Voter Helpline App

Step 1: Download and install the Voter Helpline App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Step 2: Register or log in using your mobile number and OTP.

Step 3: On the dashboard, select ‘New Voter Registration’ and choose Form 6.

Step 4: Enter the required details, including personal information, address, and constituency.

Step 5: Upload supporting documents.

Step 6: Review all details and submit the application.

Note the application reference number to track Voter ID application status.

Offline Voter Registration

Step 1: Download Form 6 from the Voters’ Services Portal or collect it from the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO)/Booth Level Officer (BLO).

Step 2: Fill in all required details clearly in block letters.

Step 3: Affix a recent passport-size photograph (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm).

Step 4: Attach self-attested documents for date of birth and address proof.

Step 5: Sign the declaration section of the form.

Step 6: Submit the completed form to the BLO/ERO/AERO at the designated centre and collect the acknowledgement slip for tracking.

Verification Process

After submitting the application, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) verifies the applicant’s address and documents.

• If verified successfully: Name is added to the electoral roll and Voter ID is issued (usually within 15–21 days).
• If discrepancies are found: The application may be rejected and must be corrected and resubmitted.

Check Voter Registration Status

Applicants can check voter registration status online using the reference ID received after submitting Form 6. By visiting the official voter services portal and entering the reference number and state, the application status can be viewed instantly.

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

Mistakes to Avoid while Registering for Voter ID 

Any discrepancies such as the following may lead to application rejection during verification:

• Name mismatch between form and documents
• Address mismatch with Aadhaar or proof
• Uploading blurred or unclear documents
• Incorrect or incomplete form submission
• Poor quality photograph upload
• Missing supporting documents

Final Word

Completing voter registration ensures inclusion in the electoral roll and enables participation in elections. Keeping details accurate and tracking application status helps avoid delays and ensures a smooth registration process.

Related Voter ID Articles:
1. How to apply Online for Voter ID Card & Track Status?
2. NVSP Portal Login, How To Register And Status Check
3. Voter ID Download: How To Download Voter ID Card Online?
4. How to Apply and Get Duplicate Voter ID Card?
5. Voter List – How to Check Your Name & Download the Voter List?
6. Link Aadhaar With Voter ID: How To Link Voter ID with Aadhaar card?
7. Voter ID Name Change - How To Change Name In Voter ID Card?
8. Voter ID Address Change: How to Change Address Details on Voter ID Card?
9. How To Download Voter ID Card Online?