How to get Voters ID Card
The election juggernaut will roll come April 16. With over 72 crore voters, 17 crore aged between 18 to 35, many of them first time voters, most political parties are waxing eloquent about the young voter.
The two national political parties, the Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, have got elaborate plans for these young voters if they get the majority in the 15th Lok Sabha elections. Election results will be announced on May 16 according to a statement issued by the Election Commission of India statement released on March 9.
On your part as a young voter you must also be all raring to go, wanting to make a difference by your own vote. On our part we tell you how to get a voter's ID card and things to know if you are a first time voter:
What is a voter ID card? Who is eligible to have a voter ID card?
Voter ID card or Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is an identification card issued by the Election Commission to all eligible voters, to enable voter identification on election day.
All those who are already enrolled in the voter list are eligible to receive a voter ID card.
Is a voter ID card essential for voting?
No. This is a very commonly held myth! Only 2 things are mandatory for voting.
1. Your name should be there in the list of registered voters i.e. in electoral roll or voter list.of your polling booth.
2. You should carry an approved identity proof document.
If you are issued with a voter ID card, you have to compulsorily carry it on the day of voting as an identity proof. If you do not possess a voter ID card, you can carry any one of the approved identity proof documents on election day.
Does the possession of voter ID card entitle me for voting?
No. the mere possession of voter ID card DOES NOT entitle you to voting, because it is mandatory for your name to appear in electoral roll or voter list.
Once you have found out that your name is there in the electoral rolls, and you possess an approved identity proof document (voter ID card or others), you are entitled to vote.
Do I need to register separately to get a voter ID card? How is it different from voter registration?
Yes, you need to register separately to get a voter ID card. You need to fill a different form (Form 001) for this. You can do this either at the time of submitting your voter registration form (Form 6) or after you have submitted your voter registration form and your name appears in the voter list.
Voter registration is the process to get your name included in the electoral rolls or voter lists of your constituency. Remember, it is mandatory to get voter registration done while it is not mandatory that you possess a voter ID card, to be eligible to vote!
How do I register to get a voter ID card? How does the process work?
To register for a voter ID card, you must fill and submit (Form 001).You can submit Form 001 and get a voter ID card in either of the following ways:
1. If you are submitting your voter registration form (Form 6 / 8 / 8A) to your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), you can also submit Form 001A to apply for a voter ID card at the same time.Click here to download and understand how to fill Form 001A.
2. After you have become a registered voter i.e. after your name appears in voter list, you can submit Form 001C to your ERO. Click here to download and understand how to fill Form 001C.
3. At specific time periods, Election Commission of India (ECI) organizes drives to issue voter ID cards to all registered voters through Designated Photographic Locations (DPL). During these drives, the ECI advertises in all major newspapers of the state. Citizens whose names appear on the voters' list are also given information notices by the EROs of each area. The notices issued contain useful information such as the name and age of the person, the house number, the constituency number, and the polling booth or part number. It also mentions the date on which the voter IDs will be issued for a particular polling booth / part and address of DPL.
Once the voter receives the notice, he/she must visit the DPL which is generally a school or government office in the locality. Each DPL will usually have two systems equipped with digital cameras. The voter ID card is issued in 10 to 15 minutes.
While most of the above applies to all states in India, there might be some differences in the way in which different states issue voter ID cards. To know the exact rules, please visit the website of your state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
What is Form 001? How do I fill it?
Form 001 is the application form required to be filled and submitted by voters to get a photo voter ID card, also called Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
There are 2 types of Form 001:
1. Form 001A : For those who are applying for a voter ID card at the same time of applying for voter registration through Form 6/ 8/ 8A. Follow the instructions below to fill out Form 001A:
* Enter the name of your state and Assembly Constituency (AC) in relevant fields.
* Enter your name, the name of your relation and your address as mentioned in your voter registration form (Form 6 / 8/ 8A)
* Submit two copies of your recent passport size photograph. One pasted on right side top corner of Form 6 / Form 8 / Form 8A with your signature affixed across the photograph. The other photograph should be pasted on this application for the purpose of preparation of Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
* Please enclose an attested photocopy of any photo-bearing document for verification of the photograph. In case the document is self-attested, then show the original at the time of submission of the Form in person]
* Drop this for along with your voter registration form (Form 6 / 8/ 8A) at the office of your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
2. Form 001B : For those who are applying for a voter ID card at the same time of applying for voter registration through Form 6/ 8/ 8A.
Follow the instructions below to fill out Form 001B:
* Under section I, enter the name of your state and Assembly Constituency(AC) in relevant fields.
* Enter your name, the name of your relation and your address as mentioned in your voter registration form (Form 6). Minor corrections in spellings of names and relation's name and EPIC No. can also be filled.
* Enter your date of birth and attach a valid age proof document to the form.
* Affix 2 of your recent passport sized photographs one signed and other unsigned. Please enclose an attested photocopy of any photo-bearing document (from amongst the list mentioned in Form 001B) for verification of the photograph and date of birth. In case the document is self-attested, then show the original at the time of submission of the Form in person]
* Drop this form at the office of your ERO.
3. Form 001C - For those who are already registered on electoral rolls, and are applying for a photo electoral roll or getting a voter ID card.
Follow the instructions below to fill out Form 001C:
* Enter the name of your state and Assembly Constituency(AC) in relevant fields.
* Under section I, enter your name, the name of your relation and your address as mentioned in your voter registration form (Form 6)
* Ask your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to fill out section II, at the time of submitting your Form 001C.
* Under section III, enter your date of birth and attach a valid age proof document to the form
* Under section IV, affix 2 of your recent passport sized photographs -- one signed and other unsigned. Please enclose an attested photocopy of any photo-bearing document (from amongst the list mentioned in Form 001C) for verification of the photograph and date of birth. In case the document is self-attested, then show the original at the time of submission of the Form in person]
* Drop this form at the office of your ERO
Should I pay for a voter ID card?
No, if you are getting a voter ID card for the first time.
Who issues the voter ID card?
Election Commission of India (ECI) through your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
What should I do if I lose my voter ID card?
You must lodge an FIR with the police in the area you lost your voter ID card / EPIC and submit a copy of the FIR along with Form 002, to your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Designated photography Location (DPL) asking for a replacement. You must also pay a fee of Rs. 25.
My voter ID card has been lost / destroyed/ mutilated. What should I do to get a replacement? Which form should I fill?
You must apply for a duplicate voter ID card, through Form 002 (click to download). You will have to submit this Form to your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
If I shift my address, do I need to get a new voter ID card?
No, once issued, your voter ID card is valid FOREVER.
The voter ID card is useful only as a voter identification document at polling booths on election day. Therefore, it remains valid even if you have changed your address from one area to another within the same city, one city to another within the same state or even from one state to another.
Details on my voter ID card are wrong / Details related to my voter ID card in the electoral roll are wrong. How do I get it corrected?
You should apply for rectification of these errors through Form 004 (click to download). You will have to submit this at the office of your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or at the Designated Photography Location (DPL) when the process of Voter ID Card preparation is going on.
Are you a first time voter?
I am registering for the first time. Where do I begin?
You should begin by checking if you meet the eligibility criteria for voter registration.
What documents do I need to register for the first time?
If you are registering for the first time, you will need an address proof and an age proof document, apart from your filled voter registration form.
I am a college student. What documents do I need to register?
If you are a college student residing in your college hostel / mess and do not have an ordinary address proof document, you will have to get a Student Declaration Form signed by your college dean/principal/registrar and submit it along with your voter registration form. Besides, you will also need to submit an age proof document.
If you are a college student NOT residing in hostel, you need to submit an ordinary address proof document and an age proof document, like other first time voters.
It is always advisable that you register from your college since this is where you are likely to be for most time of the year. This will make sure that there is a very little likelihood of your missing an election during the year!
However, you are eligible to register from either of the places - your place of study or your native place.
I've just turned 18. Can I register to vote?
You can register if you are 18 years or older as on 1st January of the year when the electoral rolls are getting prepared. Currently, this will be 1st January, 2008.
Therefore, if you have completed 18 years of age after 1st January 2008, you can apply for your name to be listed on the electoral rolls getting released on or after 1st January 2009.
If you are going to complete 18 years of age after 1st January 2009, you are not eligible to register for voting for the upcoming general elections in April 2009.
Courtesy: Jaagore & Rediff
The two national political parties, the Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, have got elaborate plans for these young voters if they get the majority in the 15th Lok Sabha elections. Election results will be announced on May 16 according to a statement issued by the Election Commission of India statement released on March 9.
On your part as a young voter you must also be all raring to go, wanting to make a difference by your own vote. On our part we tell you how to get a voter's ID card and things to know if you are a first time voter:
What is a voter ID card? Who is eligible to have a voter ID card?
Voter ID card or Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is an identification card issued by the Election Commission to all eligible voters, to enable voter identification on election day.
All those who are already enrolled in the voter list are eligible to receive a voter ID card.
Is a voter ID card essential for voting?
No. This is a very commonly held myth! Only 2 things are mandatory for voting.
1. Your name should be there in the list of registered voters i.e. in electoral roll or voter list.of your polling booth.
2. You should carry an approved identity proof document.
If you are issued with a voter ID card, you have to compulsorily carry it on the day of voting as an identity proof. If you do not possess a voter ID card, you can carry any one of the approved identity proof documents on election day.
Does the possession of voter ID card entitle me for voting?
No. the mere possession of voter ID card DOES NOT entitle you to voting, because it is mandatory for your name to appear in electoral roll or voter list.
Once you have found out that your name is there in the electoral rolls, and you possess an approved identity proof document (voter ID card or others), you are entitled to vote.
Do I need to register separately to get a voter ID card? How is it different from voter registration?
Yes, you need to register separately to get a voter ID card. You need to fill a different form (Form 001) for this. You can do this either at the time of submitting your voter registration form (Form 6) or after you have submitted your voter registration form and your name appears in the voter list.
Voter registration is the process to get your name included in the electoral rolls or voter lists of your constituency. Remember, it is mandatory to get voter registration done while it is not mandatory that you possess a voter ID card, to be eligible to vote!
How do I register to get a voter ID card? How does the process work?
To register for a voter ID card, you must fill and submit (Form 001).You can submit Form 001 and get a voter ID card in either of the following ways:
1. If you are submitting your voter registration form (Form 6 / 8 / 8A) to your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), you can also submit Form 001A to apply for a voter ID card at the same time.Click here to download and understand how to fill Form 001A.
2. After you have become a registered voter i.e. after your name appears in voter list, you can submit Form 001C to your ERO. Click here to download and understand how to fill Form 001C.
3. At specific time periods, Election Commission of India (ECI) organizes drives to issue voter ID cards to all registered voters through Designated Photographic Locations (DPL). During these drives, the ECI advertises in all major newspapers of the state. Citizens whose names appear on the voters' list are also given information notices by the EROs of each area. The notices issued contain useful information such as the name and age of the person, the house number, the constituency number, and the polling booth or part number. It also mentions the date on which the voter IDs will be issued for a particular polling booth / part and address of DPL.
Once the voter receives the notice, he/she must visit the DPL which is generally a school or government office in the locality. Each DPL will usually have two systems equipped with digital cameras. The voter ID card is issued in 10 to 15 minutes.
While most of the above applies to all states in India, there might be some differences in the way in which different states issue voter ID cards. To know the exact rules, please visit the website of your state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
What is Form 001? How do I fill it?
Form 001 is the application form required to be filled and submitted by voters to get a photo voter ID card, also called Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
There are 2 types of Form 001:
1. Form 001A : For those who are applying for a voter ID card at the same time of applying for voter registration through Form 6/ 8/ 8A. Follow the instructions below to fill out Form 001A:
* Enter the name of your state and Assembly Constituency (AC) in relevant fields.
* Enter your name, the name of your relation and your address as mentioned in your voter registration form (Form 6 / 8/ 8A)
* Submit two copies of your recent passport size photograph. One pasted on right side top corner of Form 6 / Form 8 / Form 8A with your signature affixed across the photograph. The other photograph should be pasted on this application for the purpose of preparation of Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
* Please enclose an attested photocopy of any photo-bearing document for verification of the photograph. In case the document is self-attested, then show the original at the time of submission of the Form in person]
* Drop this for along with your voter registration form (Form 6 / 8/ 8A) at the office of your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
2. Form 001B : For those who are applying for a voter ID card at the same time of applying for voter registration through Form 6/ 8/ 8A.
Follow the instructions below to fill out Form 001B:
* Under section I, enter the name of your state and Assembly Constituency(AC) in relevant fields.
* Enter your name, the name of your relation and your address as mentioned in your voter registration form (Form 6). Minor corrections in spellings of names and relation's name and EPIC No. can also be filled.
* Enter your date of birth and attach a valid age proof document to the form.
* Affix 2 of your recent passport sized photographs one signed and other unsigned. Please enclose an attested photocopy of any photo-bearing document (from amongst the list mentioned in Form 001B) for verification of the photograph and date of birth. In case the document is self-attested, then show the original at the time of submission of the Form in person]
* Drop this form at the office of your ERO.
3. Form 001C - For those who are already registered on electoral rolls, and are applying for a photo electoral roll or getting a voter ID card.
Follow the instructions below to fill out Form 001C:
* Enter the name of your state and Assembly Constituency(AC) in relevant fields.
* Under section I, enter your name, the name of your relation and your address as mentioned in your voter registration form (Form 6)
* Ask your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to fill out section II, at the time of submitting your Form 001C.
* Under section III, enter your date of birth and attach a valid age proof document to the form
* Under section IV, affix 2 of your recent passport sized photographs -- one signed and other unsigned. Please enclose an attested photocopy of any photo-bearing document (from amongst the list mentioned in Form 001C) for verification of the photograph and date of birth. In case the document is self-attested, then show the original at the time of submission of the Form in person]
* Drop this form at the office of your ERO
Should I pay for a voter ID card?
No, if you are getting a voter ID card for the first time.
Who issues the voter ID card?
Election Commission of India (ECI) through your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
What should I do if I lose my voter ID card?
You must lodge an FIR with the police in the area you lost your voter ID card / EPIC and submit a copy of the FIR along with Form 002, to your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Designated photography Location (DPL) asking for a replacement. You must also pay a fee of Rs. 25.
My voter ID card has been lost / destroyed/ mutilated. What should I do to get a replacement? Which form should I fill?
You must apply for a duplicate voter ID card, through Form 002 (click to download). You will have to submit this Form to your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
If I shift my address, do I need to get a new voter ID card?
No, once issued, your voter ID card is valid FOREVER.
The voter ID card is useful only as a voter identification document at polling booths on election day. Therefore, it remains valid even if you have changed your address from one area to another within the same city, one city to another within the same state or even from one state to another.
Details on my voter ID card are wrong / Details related to my voter ID card in the electoral roll are wrong. How do I get it corrected?
You should apply for rectification of these errors through Form 004 (click to download). You will have to submit this at the office of your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or at the Designated Photography Location (DPL) when the process of Voter ID Card preparation is going on.
Are you a first time voter?
I am registering for the first time. Where do I begin?
You should begin by checking if you meet the eligibility criteria for voter registration.
What documents do I need to register for the first time?
If you are registering for the first time, you will need an address proof and an age proof document, apart from your filled voter registration form.
I am a college student. What documents do I need to register?
If you are a college student residing in your college hostel / mess and do not have an ordinary address proof document, you will have to get a Student Declaration Form signed by your college dean/principal/registrar and submit it along with your voter registration form. Besides, you will also need to submit an age proof document.
If you are a college student NOT residing in hostel, you need to submit an ordinary address proof document and an age proof document, like other first time voters.
It is always advisable that you register from your college since this is where you are likely to be for most time of the year. This will make sure that there is a very little likelihood of your missing an election during the year!
However, you are eligible to register from either of the places - your place of study or your native place.
I've just turned 18. Can I register to vote?
You can register if you are 18 years or older as on 1st January of the year when the electoral rolls are getting prepared. Currently, this will be 1st January, 2008.
Therefore, if you have completed 18 years of age after 1st January 2008, you can apply for your name to be listed on the electoral rolls getting released on or after 1st January 2009.
If you are going to complete 18 years of age after 1st January 2009, you are not eligible to register for voting for the upcoming general elections in April 2009.
Courtesy: Jaagore & Rediff
Labels: first time voter, how to register to vote, voter id card, voter registration
posted by Madhav Prathapa at 3:11 PM
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