Voter ID Card Eligibility, Documents and Registration

Voter ID Structure

A voter ID card is a recognized form of personal identification in India, issued by a government authority. It includes the following information: 

1. Unique serial number 
2. Photograph of the cardholder 
3. Hologram featuring the state/national symbol 
4. Name of the cardholder 
5. Father’s name of the cardholder 
6. Gender 
7. Date of birth 
8. Residential address of the cardholder 

Also, the issuing authority's signature, known as the Electoral Registration Officer, is on the rear side of the voter ID card. 

How to Apply for a Voter ID Card Online?

The following are steps to download Voter ID card online: 

Step 1: Visit the official portal of Voter Service  or by clicking on the link https://voters.eci.gov.in/.

Step 2: Click on ‘Sign-up’ and create a login account   

Step 3: Enter your mobile number followed by the captcha under ‘Indian Resident Elector’. Click on ‘Continue’. Once you have logged in, click on ‘Fill Form 6’ and fill the Form 6 by providing all the correct details.

Step 4: Upload all the required documents including photograph  

Step 5: Click on ‘Submit’

How to Apply for a Voter ID Card Offline?

The following are the steps to apply for a voter ID card offline: 

1. You will need to fill two copies of Form 6. The form is available at offices of Booth Level Officers and Electoral Registration Officers/Assistant Electoral Registration Officers. The form is available free of cost.
2. When you visit the Electoral Registration Officer/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, the filled forms and documents must be provided. You can also send them via post to the Booth Level Officer.
3. In case of any queries, you can call 1950.

What is the EPIC Number in a Voter ID Card?

EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) number is the voter ID number issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI). EPIC number is a unique set of letters and numbers that works as identity proof for Indian nationals who are above the age of 18. It also allows Indian nationals to cast votes in various elections conducted in the country. The EPIC number can be found on the voter ID card. It's right above the top of your photo on your voter identification card. 

How to Find EPIC Number Online?

Here are the steps to find your EPIC number: 

Step 1: Visit the official website of ‘Voters’ Service Portal’.

Step 2: Click on ‘Search in Electoral Roll Search’ option   

Step 3: Fill in the required details  either under ‘Search by EPIC’, ‘Search by Detail’, or by ‘Search by Mobile’.

Step 4: Enter the captcha code  and click on ‘Search’.

A list of names will be displayed, and individuals need to find out their EPIC number from that list. 

What Documents are Required for Voter ID Card?

While applying for a Voters ID , you have to submit the following documents:

1. Identity Proof.
2. Address Proof.
3. Photograph.

In order to apply for/obtain a Voter’s ID card, individuals must conform to the following criteria:

1. You must be Indian citizen.
2. Applicant must not be below 18 years of age.
3. Permanent address.
4. You must be a resident of the polling area of the constituency where you wish to be enrolled.
5. You must not be disqualified as an elector.

How to Track Voter ID Application Status Online?

The step-by-step procedure to track your Voter ID application status online is mentioned below:

1. Visit https://voters.eci.gov.in.
2. Click on ‘Track Application Status’.
3. Enter  either your registered mobile number, email ID, or EPIC Number.
4. The details will be displayed on the next page.

1. Enter your password, and the OTP you will receive on your mobile number. 
2. Once you have logged in, you can click on ‘Track Status’, following which the details will be displayed on the next page. 

How to Verify Voter ID?

Individuals can verify the Voter ID by checking the details on the Electoral Roll. You can visit the official website of National Voters Services Portal and click on ‘Search in Electoral Roll’. You can either provide various personal details or check the Electoral Roll by providing the EPIC Number.

How to Download Voter ID using EPIC Number?

  The following are the steps to download Voter ID card using EPIC number:  

Step 1: Visit the portal of Election Commission of India- voterportal.eci.gov.in.  

Step 2: Create an account  

Step 3: On the homepage, select ‘e-EPIC Download' option  

Step 4: Enter either your e-EPIC number or the registered mobile number 

Step 5: Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number  

Step 6: Click on ‘Download EPIC Online’ to complete the process 

If the mobile number that has been mentioned on your card is different, then you will need to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and then download the voter ID card. 

Note: 

1. If you have misplaced your e-EPIC number, then, you can check for it at voterportal.eci.gov.in. 
2. Your digital voter ID card can be generated through the mobile voter app. 
3. Download the app from the app store and follow the instructions mentioned in the app 

How to Download Voter ID in the Voter Helpline App? 

The following are the steps to download voter ID through voter helpline application: 

1. From the Google Play Store or Apple Store, download the Voter Helpline App 
2. Click on the ‘Personal Vault’ option 
3. Enter the required details, such as mobile number, password, and OTP (One Time Password) 
4. Click on ‘Login’ option 
5. After logging in, your e-EPIC card will be displayed on the screen 
6. Click on ‘Download’ option to download the card on your mobile device 
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Forms Required for applying for a Voter ID Online?

The following are the types of forms required for applying for online Voter ID depending upon specific condition: 

1. Form 6: New Voter ID and shift of constituency 
2. Form 6A: NRI voter election card application 
3. Form 8: Change in personal details such as address, photo, age, name, date of birth, etc. 
4. Form 8A: Change of address from one constituency to another 
5. Form 7: Inclusion and deletion of name in the electoral roll
6. Form 6B: To get EPIC and Aadhaar 

1. Form M: for Kashmiri migrant voters who wish to cast their ballots at any particular polling place in Delhi, Jammu, or Udhampur. 
2. Form 12C: for Kashmiri migrant voters who wish to use postal ballots to cast their votes. 

What to do if your Voter ID Card is not Received?

If the voter id verification process is taking time and you haven’t received the card after the application, you are recommended to visit the DEO with your reference number.

How to Upload Voter ID in DigiLocker? 

The following are the steps to upload voter ID card through DigiLocker: 

1. Download the e-EPIC card through the Voter Helpline App or the Voter Services Portal 
2. Upload the downloaded PDF of the e-EPIC card on DigiLocker 

Points to Note Before Applying for a Voter ID: 

The following are the points that you must keep a note of before applying for voter ID card: 

1. The minimum age of the applicant must be 18 years 
2. The individual should have sound mental condition 
3. The individual should not have a criminal record or should not be bankrupt financially 
4. Individuals must fill in Form 6 and submit all the relevant documents 
5. Application for voter ID card must be submitted through government or government-approved websites and centers 
6. Details provided, such as date of birth, name, address, and other, should be entered correctly 
7. Information provided should be legally correct 
8. Applicants must re-verify the documents submitted to check if all the information has been entered correctly 

What to do if You do not Receive a Voter ID Card? 

Here is all you need to do if you do not receive a voter ID card: 

1. Visit the official website or the nearest election office 
2. While submitting Form 6, the reference number received to be entered along with other detail 
3. Select the ‘Track Status’ option 
4. The updated status of your application will be displayed 

Note: You will receive the voter ID 30 days from the date of applying for the voter ID online. 

Who Rolls Out the Digital Voter ID Card?

National Voters’ Day is celebrated on 25 January and the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the digital voter ID card, also known as Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card (e-EPIC), on this day in 2021. The e-EPIC is similar to the e-Aadhar and is available in the PDF format which cannot be further edited. Individuals can also download duplicate cards by paying a fee of Rs.25, in case they have lost their old Voter ID card. 

How to Vote without Voter ID Card?

To be eligible to vote in India, a person has to register himself or herself as a registered voter. The person can either register for the same offline or can visit the election commission website and get registered there. If the person is already a registered voter, then he or she can vote without the voter ID card. The following list of documents are accepted in case the person does not have his or her voter ID:

1. Passport
2. Driving license
3. Service Identity Cards with photographs issued to employees by Central, State Govt, Public Sector Undertakings, Public Limited Companies.
4. Passbooks with Photograph issued by a post office or a bank.
5. PAN card
6. Aadhar card
7. Address card along with photo of the applicant, issued by Department of Post, Government of India
8. Smart Card issued by Registrar General of India (RGI) under the National Population Register
9. Pension order with a photo
10. MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Job Card)
11. Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour
12. Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLCs, MLAs, etc.

How to Change Old Voter ID Card to a New One?

With the government coming up with the concept of e-EPIC voter ID, people who possess the old voter IDs can get the new one by logging on to the national voters’ service portal using the username and password. You need to register yourself first before being able to use the facility to download the e-EPIC.

How to Correct Details in the Voter ID Card?

In case, you want to make necessary changes in the voter ID, you can do so by visiting the online national voters’ service portal or by visiting the nearest election office. In order to make the necessary changes, you can follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit National Voters Service Portal

Step 2: Login using the username and password

Step 3: Fill out ‘Form 8’

Step 4: Submit it along with the supporting documents

Step 5: Once it is done, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will process the application.

NRI Voter ID Card:

A non-resident Indian can also exercise their right to vote. They can cast their vote if they are present in the country and at their constituency when elections are held. In order to avail the voter ID, they can apply for it either online or offline.

How Can NRI Electors Apply for Voter ID Cards Online? 

The following are the steps to apply for voter ID card online by the NRI electors: 

1. Visit the official website of National Voter Services Portal (NVSP) 
2. Click on the ‘Apply online for registration of overseas voter’ option 
3. Fill in the Form 6A correctly and submit it 
4. You can also download the form official website of Chief Electoral Officer of your state 

Note: 

1. NRI who have attained 18 years of age in January of the applying year are eligible to apply for voter ID card. 
2. NRI individual should not have citizenship of any other country 

How Can NRI Electors Apply for Voter ID Cards Offline? 

The following are the steps to apply voter ID card offline for NRI electors: 

1. Fill in the application form  
2. Submit the duly signed form to Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer 
3. Submit the self-attested documents as well 
4. After successful verification ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer will notify you whether your name has been included in the electoral list or not 
5. The ERO will also notify in case due to any reason your form has been rejected 

Voter ID Card correction in Electoral Roll 

The following are the steps to correct the detail entered in voter ID card in electoral roll: 

1. Visit the National Voter Services Portal (NVSP) 
2. Click on ‘Click Here’ option under Correction of entries in electoral roll 
3. Highlight the correction and upload the relevant documents 
4. The process can also be done by visiting the nearest election office or sending the documents to Chief Election Officer 
5. Once the documents are submitted, ERO will take necessary steps to update the details 
6. The updated voter ID card will be sent to your registered address 

What Does the Voter ID Card Contain?

The Voter ID that is issued by the Election Commission of India to all eligible Voters comprises of the below-mentioned fields:

1. A hologram sticker.
2. Serial number.
3. Photograph of the card holder.
4. Name of elector card holder.
5. Card holder’s parent’s Name.
6. Card holder’s gender.
7. Elector’s / card holder’s age as on the date of issue of the card.
8. The individual’s complete address is mentioned on the rear side of the card along with the authority’s signature.

Uses of a Election Card or Voter ID Card:

The Voter ID can be used for the below-mentioned purposes:

1. The card serves as an accepted form of personal identity.
2. The Voter ID Card acts as an acknowledgement that the card holder is a registered voter.
3. The card includes several identification features like the applicant’s signature, photograph, fingerprints, etc., which provide added assurance for the card holder.
4. In case of an election, the card carries provisions (by way of marking) to prevent the holder from voting multiple times.
5. The Voter ID card can be designed to suit electoral requirements of a population with low literacy population.
6. It is especially helpful as a form of identification for voters with no fixed address.

Importance of a Voter ID or Election Card:

The Voter ID Card is an important document for Indian citizens for a variety of reasons. Some of them are:

1. Proof of Identity – The Voter ID card is an important document for Indian citizens as it is a valid form of an identification proof. The Voter ID card is accepted at various offices and institutions that require the individual to furnish a valid form of identification. Also, almost all government-run agencies, insurance providers, claim firms, mortgage providers like banks ask applicants to provide a Voter ID number to process their request.
2. Casting Votes – The Voter ID card is essential if you wish to cast your vote during any election. If you hold a valid Voter ID card and your name is present in the electoral roll of your local area, you can cast your vote.
3. Registration in Electoral Roll Of a Non-Domicile State – The Voter ID serves yet another purpose of allowing individuals to register their name in the electoral roll of a state other than their state of domicile. This is especially helpful if a person has migrated from another state and wishes to enrol in the electoral list of his local area / constituency.

1. Streamlines the voting process: India is one of the world's largest democracies and hence the election process involves monumental task. The voter ID card helps simplify and speed up the work of voting. 
2. Voter ID card is inclusive in nature: As long as the requirements are met any Indian citizen can be issued with a voter ID card to ensure everyone is involved in the process of election in Indian government. 
3. Determines the fraudsters: One of the main importance of a voter ID card is that it helps determine fraudsters and track who voted multiple times under different identities.