Madhav's India

How to get Voters ID Card

2009-03-19T15:11:00.006+05:30

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

Greater Hyderabad Assembly Constituencies

2009-02-06T14:34:00.003+05:30

Here is the list of Assembly Constituencies under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation:

Hyderabad District:

Amberpet
Bahadurpura
Chandrayangutta
Charminar
Goshamahal
Jubilee Hills
Karwan
Khairathabad
Malakpet
Musheerabad
Nampally
Sanathnagar
Sec'Bad Cantonment
Secunderabad
Yakuthpura

Ranga Reddy District:

Kukatpally
L B Nagar
Maheshwaram
Malkajgiri
Qutbullapur
Rajendra Nagar
Serilingampalli
Uppal

Medak District:

Patancheru

More Information: http://ghmc.gov.in/election1/indexnew.asp AND http://ghmc.gov.in/election/electionsnewdetailsfrm.asp

Let's Vote - It's Our Responsibility

2008-12-19T14:24:00.007+05:30

Election Commission of India has still to come out with a tentative date for conducting the General Elections to the lower house (Lok Sabha) of the parliament. But, they most probably would be held before May 2009.

If we observe the voting percentage in the recently conducted New Delhi State Assembly elections was well below when compared to the voting percentage in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. That made me think why urban voters are turning away from elections. Is it because they are not interested in the election process at all or lack of trust on the politicians or they are very happy with the facilities they have when compared to their counterparts living in villages.

Whatever reason that might be, it is not a valid one. In a democracy like ours, the Right to Vote is something that needs to be taken very seriously if not we will be forced to see days like Emergency or Military takeover's where we have to just dream for our basic rights.

Right to Vote should be called as Responsibility to Vote. If we are not voting means we are running away from our responsibilities.

I understand that politics is not a good place to be in. But if everyone runs away from it, it would be run only by bad people. India needs good politicians - very good ones who can guide this great country into the uncertain future. We can let this country led by cheap politicians. India needs politicians like You and Me !!

So....before that, let's show our responsibility towards this country and VOTE in the coming elections to the candidate we like!!

If you haven't yet Registered as an Eligible Voter, here are the forms that you need to submit:

Download Voter Guidelines Document Here

Download Form for Inclusion of your Name in Electoral Rolls

Download Form For any objection on Inclusion of Names in Electoral Rolls

Download Form for Change of Address

Download Form For Corrections in Name, Age and Gender

Independence Day Celebrations At Our Company

2008-09-16T08:54:00.000+05:30

Looks like I completely forgot about this blog as Iam concentrating more on my Personal Blog - Latest Updates From Prathapa Madhav

We celebrated Independence Day Celebrations at our company with great fanfare. Our Vice President, Mr. Krishna Mohan Sudunugunta hoisted the Indian Flag. Mr. Siva Prasad Mulukutla, our Quality Manager gave a short message on the occasion.

Here is a short video taken.

Here are some pics taken on the occasion:

Indian Flag

2008-06-11T10:25:00.000+05:30

Patriotic Wallpapers

2008-06-11T10:23:00.000+05:30

Independence Day Wallpapers

2008-06-11T10:21:00.000+05:30

Republic Day Wallpapers

2008-06-11T10:13:00.000+05:30

Mahatma Gandhi Photos

2008-06-11T09:58:00.000+05:30

Blasts on Samjhouta Express

2007-02-20T15:17:00.000+05:30

It is time that Pakistan close all the terrorist recruiting and training camps along the LOC as those who were trained by them are targeting Pakistanis themselves.
The terrorists targeted Samjhouta Express at a time when the Pakistan Foreign Minister is planning to come to India to take forward the peace process. Ironically, most of the dead are Pakistanis who are visiting their families in India.
If Pakistanis cannot dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, then they better leave it to us to clean up !!

Comments by Claude Arpi

2006-06-29T09:38:00.000+05:30

Mr.Calude Arpi was a French Citizen before he settled down in India for good in 1970's. He loves India 95% but he has his reservations on the rest 5% which are noted down below. I sincerely agree with him and as a True Indian, we got to make sure we do away with all the evils in our society. His comments came in Rediff.com and I had taken out the content out of it - thanks to Mr.Claude for the same.

Here is my list of the 10 things I still can't 'digest' about India:

1. Power cuts: While typing this article, the electricity board cut off the power supply. The reason -- a storm last night which lasted for 15 to 20 minutes. 'As a precautionary measure' the officials very compassionately disconnected vast areas from the network in the night and the following morning.

Being in rural Tamil Nadu, these officials want to protect us from broken wires due to fallen trees (it could electrocute passersby, they say). While I appreciate their reasoning, I was surprised to see that during the cyclonic rains in New Orleans last year, though thousands perished, electricity was not switched off. Indian officials will tell you that the US is a rich and developed country, not comparable to India. Where is the connection?

2. Indian babus: One could write volumes on the famous babus of India. They run one of the largest bureaucracies in the world, but have not been able to change their mindset.

A particularly bothersome aspect is that their laws often come from antiquated rules and regulations that nobody knows of. The consequence is what we call red-tapism, though for them it is 'implementing the letter, the law of the land'. But what about its spirit? In any case, the law has always to 'follow its own course'.

A few years ago, a diligent minister found hundreds such laws and regulations dating back to the British. In the era of modern technology and communications, this is preposterous.

Another aspect that irritates me about the bureaucracy is that babus never respond to letters. Probably they consider themselves to be the government's servants, not 'civil' servants and therefore find no need to reply to ordinary citizens.

3. No access to historical documents: Though a better understanding of the history of the subcontinent could be one of the keys to disentangle difficult problems such as the Kashmir issue, today nobody can access primary sources. They are locked away in the vaults of the Nehru Memorial Library or the almirahs of South Block.

All those who have tried to access historical documents since India's independence will tell you that till the end of babudom, one bureaucrat or another will ensure that you do not access the dusty files. Without fail, you will be courteously informed that India's security and integrity will be endangered if these precious documents are opened to the public. It is sad that Indians are not entitled to study their past (though they can always visit archives in the West to know more about India!)

4. Discrimination against the white tourist: Something particularly irritating for a 'white man' is that wherever he goes in India, he has to pay a special rate. Whether he visits the Taj Mahal where the 'white' tourist has to cough up Rs 750 to see the mausoleum, or a national museum, or even hotels or airlines, there is a true racial discrimination.

Rates are often ten times higher for those who have a 'white' or 'yellow' (Japanese) skin. Those who have made these rules do not understand that this policy harms India's image.

The desire to make a quick buck from the so-called rich tourists leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the visitors who in any case would have spent their budget during the stay in India. To my knowledge, India must be the only nation in the world implementing these separate rates.

5. Paranoia about maps: Another strange thing in India is the paranoia about maps. Several years ago I visited the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. One day I was invited to the office of a local tahsildar. To my astonishment, the poor babu did not have a map of the area under his jurisdiction. He only had a vague sketch of the district. When I expressed surprise, he explained that maps were 'classified' and only the army was authorised to use them.

Is it not foolish to believe that the Chinese do not possess detailed maps of Arunachal? And what about Google Earth which is now available the world over?

One can only be surprised by this 'official' paranoia about maps. India is today a great power; technological advancements have occurred in the world during the past decades and will undoubtedly continue to occur and India has no choice but to accept them and make the best use of them.

A year ago, the Union Cabinet approved a new National Map Policy, but unfortunately, the mindset of the implementers remains the same.

6. And photographs: The paranoia is not about maps alone, it extends to photos, particularly of the sites under the Archeological Survey of India. A friend told me of her nightmarish experience while doing research in Chennai and the number of forms she had to fill to take some photos in a museum. Though one pays in hard currency, one has still to justify why one needs a particular photo. The poor researcher is looked upon as someone trying to 'steal' the national patrimony.

In contrast, a few weeks earlier, I visited the Louvre museum in Paris which receives tens of thousands of visitors every day. All of them were happily clicking away at statues, paintings, art artefacts (it is only prohibited to photograph the Mona Lisa for security reasons) and amongst them, a great number of Indians, perhaps the most frenetic clickers. This is understandable, as they have to compensate for their frustration at home!

A French television crew told me about their adventure while trying to shoot in a fort once occupied by Rajaji (C Rajagopalachari). Before leaving Paris, they had planned a short sequence at the fort. They dutifully applied to the Indian embassy for permission. After paying a hefty Rs 5,000 they were given a stamped and signed permission. When they arrived on the spot, the local official told them: "No way, as your permission does specifically mention it, you are not authorised to shoot with a stand. You have to go to Chennai (150 km away) and get the permission duly modified. No problem, it will take you a day only!" They left disgusted, the fort will not appear in their film.

7. Politicians: The topic of politicians is an easy one. Everything appalling and more can be said of them and one will still remain below the truth. In their defense, they are part of a system which is uniquely based on votes.

To win votes, one needs money and all compromises are permissible to get the required funds 'to serve the people'. It is true the world over, but here like in many other domains India excels.

8. Neglect for the environment: Another frustrating aspect for me is the lack of care for the environment (though it has been recently improving). While Indians are the most conscious people as far as personal hygiene goes, there is very little civic awareness or concern for the environment.

Education could help (for example for disposal of garbage or plastic bags), but it is often government policies such as free electricity for farmers, incentives for asbestos sheets (one of the most carcinogenic material) or chemical pesticides which harm the environment the most.

9. Traffic: I hate the Indian traffic (with its absence of rules). Each time I return from a visit abroad, it is a terrible shock. It is difficult to comprehend how there are not more casualties on the road. A friend explained to me that the multitude of gods in India probably protect their flock. The fact is that there are no law enforcement authorities (most of the police force is busy with VIP duty).

In France and elsewhere if the cops were not around, very few would follow the traffic rules. Extremely severe punishment for breaking traffic rules has a strong dissuasive effect. Here in India, you can always get away with a few rupees.

10. Corruption: It is better to not comment.

Please allow me to add a last point: the number of 'holidays' taken for a myriad of family 'problems', (marriages, engagements, funerals, etc.), cultural, local or religious festivals (of all faiths: India is secular), then you have bandhs, hartals, riots, strikes (India is the only place in the world where the government sometimes calls for a strike), etc... The worst are 'French leaves', absolutely unknown in France.

Apart from the above, India is an incredible place and I have never regretted, even for one day, to have settled here.

Why I started this blog

2006-06-29T09:36:00.000+05:30

I started this blog so that I can start off a open discussion about my country, India. We can share views, reviews, opinions, expectations, experience on India.