What is a Voter's ID? How to apply for a Voter ID?

How to get a Voter ID? All you need to know

A Voter ID Card is an Elector's Photo Identity Card that empowers the Indian citizens to cast a vote and is provided by the Election Commission of India. This identity proof allows the Indian citizens to exercise their rights to participate in the democratic process of electing a Government.

Apart from enabling the voters to exercise their rights, the card also fulfils other objectives like serving as an identity proof that safeguards against electoral malpractices and other fraudulent activities. Almost every other identification validation in the country, starting from banking to buying a home is approved through a Voter ID card. Today, nearly 92% of the population in the country have their Voter ID Card.

Eligibility for a Voter ID Card

The applicant applying for a Voter ID Card needs to fulfil the eligibility criteria.

• The applicant needs to be a law-abiding citizen of India.
• The age of the applicant needs to be 18 years and above.
• The applicant needs to have a permanent resident address.

Documents required to be submitted for a Voter ID Card

In the process of applying for a Voter ID Card, the applicant needs to submit these documents.

• Identity Proof: An ID Proof of an applicant can be his bank passbook, Aadhar Card, PAN Card, or student ID Card.
• Photograph: Passport size photographs.
• Address Proof: In an address proof, the applicant can submit a photocopy of his/her electricity bill, telephone bill, house tax receipt, bank passbook, etc.

Application Process for a Voter ID Card

The initial step to getting access to a Voter ID Card is the application process. After 2014, there has been a rise in the voter list of India by 5%. The application process for a Voter ID Card for an Indian Citizen can be done mainly via three routes.

The Online Method:

• The applicant needs to visit the website of the Election Commission.
• Click on the link of the National Voter's Service Portal (NSVP).
• Select the appropriate option for a new Voter ID Card and apply for the registration process.
• An online Form 6 will appear, which needs to be filled in details.
• Supporting documents and photos should be uploaded.
• A reference number will be provided after the process.

The Offline Method:

• The applicant needs to visit the nearby State Election Office.
• Ask for Form 6 from the respected authorities.
• Fill up all the vital details in Form 6 correctly and cross-check all the parts.
• Supporting documents and photographs should also be submitted.
• Submit Form 6 with other documents to the respective counter of the Election Office.
• Voter ID Cards will be issued after the verification process is completed.

The Semi-Offline Method:

• The applicant needs to visit the website of the Election Commission.
• Click on the link of the National Voter's Service Portal (NSVP).
• Apply for the registration process of a new Voter ID Card.
• Fill all the details in Form 6 with the required supporting documents and photographs.
• Submit Form 6 and other documents in the nearby Election Office.
• The attachments can also be submitted to the Election Office by post.

The Election Office will verify all the details and documents submitted by the applicant after which it will issue the Voter ID Card.

Voter ID Card Tracking Process:

After the applicant has applied for a Voter ID Card, he can track the status of the same online. The process is listed in details below for a quick reference:

• The applicant has to visit the site of the National Voters Service Portal (NSVP).
• Click and track the application status for enrolment.
• Enter the reference number or acknowledgement receipt number to track the status.
• The status will be displayed after the number has been entered.

The Government of India has recently launched a website to look after all the Voter ID information, and applicants can track all the requisite details from there. As the application process is completed, an applicant can check the status through the procedure mentioned above online.

The aspects of the application status can also be tracked through SMS based on the SMS format and SMS number of a particular state. There is also a toll-free helpline number that entertains different queries of the applicants regarding the Voter ID Card.

Moreover, the applicants can also visit the nearby Election Commission Office physically to get all the necessary details regarding the application status. These are some of the measures that will help the applicants to know the current status of their Voter ID Card in case they are not receiving it on time.

Importance of a Voter ID Card:

Casting a vote

The Voter ID Card is a powerful tool that is designed to empower the citizens to cast a vote in favour of the Government and exercise their fundamental rights. This electoral card is crucial in setting and changing narratives of the country. Since each vote counts, one can regard it to shape the future of your country and its fellow citizens. The enrolment percentage of the new age voters has increased from 10% to 40% after 2017. To exercise the right to vote, it is mandatory to hold a Voter ID Card in the given constituency of the name being registered on the electoral list.

Electoral Registration in Non-Domicile State

A Voter ID Card is equally essential in registering an applicant's name in the electoral list of a state which is not their domicile state. This is very important for instances when an individual has decided to relocate elsewhere for work or education purposes. It helps them to enrol their names in the electoral list of the local constituency or the area.

Identification Proof

The Voter ID Card serves as identity proof to an Indian citizen who wants to exercise their rights during the election process. This identity proof is also valid for several other offices and institutions where identification documents are required. In India, most of the Government operated agencies like banks, insurance offices, claim companies, credit institutions ask the applicant to furnish personal identification details like a Voter ID Card.

Key Takeaway:

Voter ID Card is an essential identification document that helps the citizen to get recognition and carry their fundamental duty of casting a vote. In a democratic country, voting is the primary means to select the Government and serves as a foundation in building the nation. There are a few important things that citizens should be aware of while applying for a Voter ID Card.

• The applicant for a Voter ID Card needs to be of 18 years and above of age. This helps him/her to get legal authority to cast a vote.
• The person applying for a Voter Card shouldn't be mentally unsound or financially bankrupt.
• Individuals should apply for Voter ID Cards only through the official website of the Government.
• All the necessary details filled in the application form need to be correct like spelling, address, date of birth, and others. The information furnished needs to be authentic legally and not bogus.

Can NRI's cast a vote through Voter ID Card?

The Election Commission of India has bestowed the right to the Non-resident Indians to cast votes in India. The NRI's need to be present physically in the country in their local area or constituency to cast a vote. There is no means to carry this entire process remotely through the internet. Now NRI's can apply both online and offline if they are present in India and get their Voter ID issued.

How to re-apply for a Voter ID Card if it is lost or misplaced?

A Voter Card is the most fundamental identification document issued by the Election Commission on behalf of the Government. In case, a citizen has lost or misplaced the Voter Card; they have to apply for it through the online or offline procedure. The applicant either has to get Form EPIC-002 or download a copy. After filling up the necessary details and submitting other documents, a reference number will be issued. After the verification from the electoral office, the applicant will be notified about collecting the duplicate Voter ID Card.

Also read:

1) How To Open A Bank Account?
2) What Is a PAN Card & Why Do You Need It?
3) Can a Government Employee Do Other Private Business In India?
4) What Is Service Tax In India? Examples and more.