Elections are a mammoth exercise in our country. India being the biggest democracy in the world draws a massive number of voters to the voting booths every year. Here, elections are a regular occurrence in the form of Parliamentary Elections, State Assembly Elections, Local Municipal Elections, and others.
All the elections in India are conducted under the guidelines and supervision of the Election Commission of India. If you are a citizen of India, you are eligible to cast your vote in the area you reside in once you attain the age of 18 years.
It is not only your right but your responsibility to make use of your voting right. The Election Commission of India maintains a constituency-wise voter list wherein all individuals who are eligible to vote are listed. If your name is not on the voter list, you will not be able to cast your vote. Hence, the importance of ensuring your name on the voter list is crucial.
A Voter List is the list of all the voters residing in a particular constituency or ward. This list is maintained and updated by the Election Commission of India through its regional offices. If your name is on the voter list, only then are you allowed to cast your vote. Such is the significance of the voter list that if your name is on it, you do not need a Voter ID card to cast your vote. You can take any valid proof of identity issued by the Government and cast your vote.
Wondering why you should check if your name is on the voter list? The Election Commission of India periodically updates the voter list. If it finds any discrepancies in details, the names of such voters are removed from the list. Some of the reasons for removal of name from voter list are:
If your name has been removed from the voter list due to any of the above reasons or by mistake, you cannot vote in the upcoming elections. It is therefore, vital for you to perform a regular voter list search.
Furthermore, if you have recently applied for the inclusion of your name in the voter list, then you must check if your name has been added to the voter list. Otherwise, you risk being denied the right to vote at the time of elections.
For your convenience, the Election Commission of India maintains an online voter list. Here is a stepwise guide to check if your name is present on the voter list 2022:
Method 1: Search Name in Voter List Using Your Details
This option is suitable for new or existing voters.
Method 2: Search Your Name in Voter List by EPIC Number
This option is suitable only if you are an existing voter.
The Election Commission of India maintains an online voter list through which you can avail yourself of the option of voter list download. Here, you can check if you, as well as your family members’ name, are included in the voter list. The steps that you need to follow to download the voter list include:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the election commission of India, i.e. https://eci.gov.in/
Step 2: Scroll down to find the dropdown menu with the label ‘Please Select a State/UT’ as shown in the image below.
Step 3: Based on the state/union territory you select, you will be redirected to the respective state or UT’s Chief Electoral Officer’s website.
Step 4: Though the functionality of each website may vary, you will be asked to select the district in which you reside. Select the district from the list.
Step 5: Select the Assembly Constituency where you have been registered as a voter.
Step 6: You will be able to check the list of polling stations in your assembly constituency. Select your polling station and click on the option “Draft Roll” next to your polling station.
Step 7: Now, you will be able to see the Voter List on your screen. You can now download and save the voter list to your computer.
The Election Commission of India undertakes every effort to ensure that no eligible voters are denied the right to vote. But, due to the periodic updating process, there could be a possibility of your name getting deleted from the list. It is, therefore, important that you keep an eye on the voter list of your assembly constituency. If by any chance your name is not included in the voter list, get in touch with the nearest Electoral Officer for the necessary correction.
No, you will not be able to vote in the upcoming election. It is therefore important to perform regular voter list search.
Yes, if your name is on the voter’s list then you can still vote by showing your Aadhaar card.
Yes, it is mandatory to link the Aadhar card to the Voter’s ID card.
It will take about 30 days for you to get your Voter ID if you apply online
e-PIC is a portable form of photo identity card available in PDF format. The document is provided by the Government of India so you can either print the document or carry it along on your smartphone. This facility is provided along with your PVC Voter’s ID card issued for fresh registrations in Phase 1. The e-PIC is equally valid as voter identification proof and comes in a self-service model.
Currently, e-PIC download facility is available only for newly registered electors, i.e. after November 2020 during SSR 2021 with a unique mobile number. The others will be able to access this facility soon.
For those who have newly registered after November 2020, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Log in to the National Voters Service Portal, https://www.nvsp.in/.
Step 2: Click on the first tile on the home page, i.e. ‘e-PIC Download’.
Step 3: Enter the EPIC number or the Form Reference number and select the state you are in. Click ‘Search’.
Step 4: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP on the screen to confirm.
Step 5: Click on ‘Download e-PIC’ to download your portable voter ID.
Voter ID – How to Apply, Eligibility, and Documents Required