Voter ID, also known as EPIC (Election Photo Identity Card) is a photo identity card issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to all Indian citizens eligible to vote. The purpose of voter ID is to serve as identity proof for voters, increase efficiency and prevent impersonation and fraud during free and fair democratic elections. This card is also commonly known as an election card, voter’s card, or Voter ID card.
A voter ID card is an accepted form of personal identification in India as it is issued by a government body. The voter ID consists of the following details:
The card holder’s residential address and signature of the issuing authority (Electoral registration officer) are on the rear side of the voter ID card.
A citizen of India can apply for a voter ID in three ways; online, offline or through semi-online methods:
Online | Semi-Online | Offline |
Applicant must visit the National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP) to apply for a Voter ID | Applicant must visit National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP). | Applicant must visit the nearest State Election Office and request Form 6. |
Click on ‘Sign-Up’ button to register on NVSP. | Download ‘Form 6’ and fill the form with relevant details. | Fill ‘Form 6’ with necessary details and provide all supporting documents such as identity proof, address proof, etc. The applicant may submit the completed form to the respective election office. |
Login to NVSP and click 'Fill Form 6’. The applicants must fill in all the details of Form 6 and submit the form. Additionally, the applicant must upload a photo and supporting documents to get Voter ID. | Submit the completed Form 6 along with a photo and supporting documents at an Election Office near you. | On verification of the form, a Voter ID will be issued. |
Voter ID is only issued after necessary verification of all documents and details provided by the applicant.
Here are the detailed steps to apply for Voter ID card online:
Step 1: Visit the National Voters' Services Portal (NVSP).
Step 2: Click on the ‘Sign-Up’ option available on the top right corner of the homepage.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number, email ID and captcha code and click ‘Continue’.
Step 4: Enter your ‘First Name’, ‘Last Name’, ‘Password’, ‘Confirm Password’, and click the ‘Request OTP’ button.
Step 5: Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number and email ID and click ‘Verify’.
Step 6: Log in to the Voters' Services portal by clicking the ‘Login’ button, entering your mobile number, password, and captcha and clicking the ‘Request OTP’ button.
Step 7: Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number and click the ‘Verify & Login’ button.
Step 8: Click the ‘Fill Form 6’ button under 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, address, and declaration. 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 ‘Submit’.
Applying for a Voters ID requires you to submit the following documents:
In order to be eligible for a Voter ID card, individuals must meet the following criteria:
Step 1: Visit the National Voters' Services Portal.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Login’ button. Login by entering your mobile number, password, captcha code and OTP.
Step 3: Once you login, click on the ‘Track Application Status’ tab.
Step 4: Enter the reference number, select your state and click the ‘Submit’ button.
Step 5: The voter registration status will be displayed on the screen.
The reference ID is a unique number provided in the acknowledgement slip you receive at the time of submission of your voter registration application.
You can also check voter registration status by visiting the State Election Office and providing your name, date of birth, and address details. The officials will check and provide you with the voter registration status.
Voter ID is an important document required for an Indian citizen as it enables him/her to exercise a fundamental duty of voting in democratic elections. Voter ID also serves as proof of identity and address. Here are the following things to keep a note of:
Applicants can verify their Voter ID if they suspect their ID to be a counterfeit by using their Voter ID number. They can do so by checking if their names are present in the electoral roll, following which they can cross verify the details. If there are any discrepancies, the applicant must bring it to the notice of the Chief Electoral Officer.
Step 1: Visit National Voters' Services Portal.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Search in Electoral Roll’ tab.
Step 3: Select any one of the options - ‘Search by Details’, ‘Search by EPIC’ or ‘Search by Mobile’.
Step 4: Enter the required information and click ‘Search’.
Step 5: Your details will be displayed on the screen. You can further check if your details are correct by clicking on ‘View Details’ under the ‘Action’ column.
Cardholders who want to make necessary changes/corrections of their details in their voter ID can do so by physically visiting the nearest election office or by logging into the online National Voters’ Service Portal and filling Form 8 with the updated details. After you submit Form 8 along with relevant supporting documents to the State Election Office or online on the portal, the booth level officers will process your application and make the necessary changes to your voter ID.
The Voter ID card is used to furnish important details, such as:
If you haven’t received the Voter ID, do not worry. Follow the instructions below:
It may approximately take 30 days from the date of making an online application for your voter ID to reach you. If there are any discrepancies in receiving your voter ID, you can physically visit the state election office and rectify things.
Non-Resident Indians (NRI) can still exercise their right to vote. NRIs can apply online or offline and have their Voter IDs issued when they do not have the citizenship of another contry. NRIs have to be present in the country and their constituency to cast their vote and cannot do it remotely as of now.
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