Elections are a mammoth event 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. 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 in the voter list is crucial.

1. What is a Voter List?

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.

2. Why should you check your name in the Voter List 2019?

If you are wondering – why should I check my name in voter list?- then read on. 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: –

• Death of the Voter
• Fake Voter Details
• Incorrect Particulars
• Change of Address/ No longer living at the given address

If your name has been removed from the voter list due to any of the above reasons or by mistake, you will not be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections. It is therefore important for you to perform a regular voter list search.

Furthermore, if you have recently applied for inclusion of your name in the voter list, then you must check your name in the voter list. Otherwise, you will 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 your name in the voter list 2019: –

(i) Log-on to the official website of the election commission of India, i.e. https://eci.gov.in/

(ii) Scroll down the page, and towards the left side of your screen you will be able to see an option “Search Name in Voter List.” Click on it.

(iii) Here you can check your name in the voter list through two options: –

1. Search by Details: – This option is suited for new or existing voters.
• Enter all the details on the particular fields on the screen, i.e. your name, date of birth, gender, father/husband’s name.
• Select the state, district or assembly constituency your name is registered in.
• Alternatively, you can select your location with the help of the map tool displayed on the screen.
• Enter the captcha code and click on the Search button.
1. Search by EPIC number: – This option is suitable only if you are an existing voter.
• On the screen, enter your EPIC number as displayed on your Voter ID.
• Select the state you reside in.
• Enter the Captcha code and click on the “Search Button.”
• Irrespective of which of the above mentioned two methods you use to search your name in the voter list, you will be redirected to the result page.
• If your name is on the voter list, you will be able to see the information on your screen.
• If your name is not on the list, then you need to get in touch with your nearest Electoral officer and intimate them regarding this discrepancy.
• You will be asked to fill the requisite forms and submit the necessary documents to process your application.

It is very important for you to check your name in the Voter List 2019 as otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote in any of the upcoming elections.

3. How to download the voter list

The Election Commission of India maintains an online voter list through which you can avail the option of voter list download. Here, you can check if you are, as well as your family members name, is included in the voter list. The steps that you need to follow for voter list download include: –

(i) Log-on to the official website of the election commission of India, i.e. https://eci.gov.in/

(ii) Towards the left of your screen, you will see an option “PDF Electoral Roll.”

(iii) Click on this link, and you will be taken to a new page. Here you need to select the state where you have been registered as a voter.

(iv) Post this you will be asked to select the district in which you reside. Select the district from the list.

(v) Now, you will have to select the Assembly Constituency where you have been registered as a voter.

(vi) Subsequently, 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.

(vii) 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.

4. Conclusion

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.