Voter ID Card: Structure, Application Procedure, Uses

A Voter ID is not just an identification proof but a crucial document that provides Indian citizens with their voting rights. Although an Aadhaar card also works as a solid document for various government processes and taxation, a Voter ID holds its own importance. It also serves as a monitoring factor to prevent fraudulent votes during elections. This helps the Election Commission of India conduct free and fair elections throughout the country.

In this article, let’s get a detailed insight on the Voter ID Card, its uses, application procedure, necessities, and more.

Structure of Voter ID

The government of India issues the voter ID card for the personal identification of Indian citizens and voting purposes in elections. The details mentioned on a Voter Card is as follows:-

• A Unique Number issued to the citizen by the government
• Cardholder’s photograph
• A hologram mentioning the state of the citizen or a national symbol
• Voter ID cardholder’s name, their father’s name, gender and date of birth (DOB)      

On the backside of the card, the following details are mentioned:-

• Address of the cardholder.
• Issuing authority’s signature on the card (Officer of Electoral registration).

Voter ID Card Application Process

Online, offline and semi-online are the three ways in which Indian citizens can apply for a voter ID. Let’s look at the steps below to understand how you can apply for the same via these individual modes.

Apply for Voter ID – Online

Step 1: Visit the official National Voters Service Portal (NVSP).

Step 2: Log in to the website (if already an existing user) or register on the portal (in case of a new user).

Step 3: Click on the ‘Register as New Elector/Voter’ option.

Step 4: The website will redirect to a new window. In this new window, ‘Form 6’ will appear.

Step 5: Fill ‘Form 6’ with all the required details, such as name, date of birth, address, etc.

Step 6: After filling up the form, attach your picture and other supporting documents asked by the portal to further process the Voter ID card.

Step 7: Finally, click on the ‘Submit’ button. The application for Voter ID will be successfully submitted.  

Apply for Voter ID – Offline

Step 1: Visit the nearest Election Office of the state.

Step 2: Ask for ‘Form 6’ to apply for a Voter ID Card.

Step 3: Fill the Form 6 carefully with all the required information.

Step 4: Attach the required documents for the card, such as address proof, identity proof, and others.

Step 5: Submit the thoroughly filled Form 6 to any Election Office of the state.

Step 6: After successfully verifying the provided information, the voter ID card will be issued to the applicant.  

Apply for Voter ID –Semi-Online

Step 1: Visit the official portal of NVSP.

Step 2: Click on the option of ‘Forms’ on the homepage. The portal will redirect to a new window.

Step 3: Log in to the website (if already an existing user) or register on the portal (in case of a new user).

Step 4: Click on ‘Form 6’ and download it.

Step 5: Fill the form thoroughly and attach all the required documents, such as passport size photograph, address proof, identity proof, etc.

Step 6: Submit the form along with the documents to any Election Office of the state in person or by post.

After successful verification, the department will issue a voter ID card.

Role of Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India, also known as EIC, is the fundamental self-governing body in India. This body oversees the election procedure in the country as per the Constitution of India. 

The functions of this constitutional body of election and Voter ID are as follows:

• The body allocates the territories for the electoral constituencies in the country.
• EIC is also responsible for organising and amending the electoral rolls.
• The Election Commission also registers eligible voters of India.
• The commission rolls out the Voter ID card to eligible voters.
• The body scrutinises the election nominations and documents.
• It also informs of the election date across the country.
• EIC assigns election symbols to the political parties in India.
• It gives recognition to the political parties of the country.
• It ensures free as well as fair elections in India.
• The Election Commission monitors the activities of both political parties and the candidates.

Documents Required For Voter ID Card

Minimal documentation is required to apply for a voter ID card. The required documents are as follows:

• Proof of address
• Proof of identity
• Photograph

Voter ID Card Eligibility

The eligibility criteria set for a Voter ID card application are as follows:-

• The applicant should be a citizen of India.
• The applicant’s minimum age to apply for the card is 18 years.
• Applicants should have a permanent address.
• The applicant must be a resident of the constituency’s polling area where he/she wants to be enrolled for voter registration.
• Should not be a disqualified elector/voter.

How to Download a Voter ID Card?

The soft copy form of Voter ID is known as e-EPIC (Electors Photo Identification Card). This can be downloaded from the official portal of NVSP. The steps to download the same are as follows:-

• Login or register on the National Voter’s Service Portal (NVSP).
• Enter the reference number of the form or EPIC number.
• An OTP will be sent on the registered mobile number.
• Enter the OTP in the required field.
• In the new window, click on the option to ‘Download e-EPIC.

How to Get a Coloured Voter ID Card in India?

As a citizen of India, you can avail both black and white as well as coloured Voter ID in India. The Election Commission of India has started rolling out coloured Voter ID cards to rectify the mistakes in the old black and white ones. 

Voters who applied or registered for new cards and rectification in the old ones can avail the new coloured cards from the commission. Additionally, if anyone wants to avail of a new card, they can do it by paying a nominal fee of ₹30. 

They need to pay this fee at their city’s Voter ID registration centre. In this new voter card, the photograph will be coloured, unlike the black and white Voter ID.

How to Change from Old Voter ID to a New Voter ID?

As per the Indian Government, the e-EPIC Voter ID Card is the concept of a portable identity card that can be availed in PDF format. The government issues the e-EPIC to the newly registered applicants only (the applicants who registered for Voter ID Card after November 2020 with their unique mobile number).

In phase II of the project, the old applicants will also be provided with the e-EPIC services as per the Government of India.

Here is how one can change from an old voter ID card to a new one:-

Step 1: Visit the official National Voters Service Portal (NVSP).

Step 2: Log in if you are already a registered user, or in case of a new user, you can also register on the portal.

Step 3: On the homepage, click on the option of ‘E-EPIC download’ to change from an old card to a new Voter ID card.

Step 4: In the new window, enter the EPIC number and select the state.

Step 5: Click on the ‘Search’ option.

Step 6: An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number. Enter the OTP in the respective field and click on submit.

Step 7: Click on the option ‘Download e-EPIC’ to download the portable Voter ID card on the device.

Things to Remember Before Applying for a Voter ID

To empower the voting rights of Indian Citizens, the Government of India started the initiative of Voter ID cards. This is a unique ID provided by the Government of India that helps citizens to fulfil their voting duty during the democratic elections. The Voter ID Card also serves as the address proof for the citizens.

A few key points that are important to know before applying for the Voter ID (both old Voter ID and New Voter ID Card e-EPIC) are:-

• The minimum legal age of the applicant to apply for it must be 18 years.
• The applicants should not be financially bankrupt.
• They should be level-headed and free from any kind of criminal charges.
• Applicants should fill out and submit the relevant form, i.e., Form 6, along with the required documents.
• Must apply for the Voter ID through government portals or government-approved portals (in case of online and semi-online ways).
• Ensure that the spellings and dates of details, such as name, address, date of birth, etc., are correct.
• The details provided for the Voter ID card should be legally correct.    

Steps for Voter ID Verification

To verify your Voter ID Card, follow the steps mentioned below:-

Step 1: Visit the official portal of the NVSP.

Step 2: On the homepage, select the option’ Search in Electoral Roll’

Step 3: Enter the details for verifying the Voter ID and click on verify.

Voter ID Correction in Electoral Roll

In case of any missing details or wrong details in the Voter ID Card, it can be changed, or the corrections can be made easily. The applicant needs to visit the election office or make the changes via the official NVS portal.

Fill Form 8 to make changes and corrections to the Voter ID. Submit the form to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) (in offline mode) or on the NVSP website (in online mode). Along with the form, attach the supporting documents for verification. 

Once the ERO verifies the details furnished by the applicant, they will process the application and make the requested changes in the Voter ID.    

Uses of Voter ID

There are several ways in which the Voter ID can prove beneficial for India’s citizens. Some of these are as follows:-

• Voter ID can be used as an identity and address proof of the cardholder.      
• It helps the citizens of India in empowering their voting rights.
• It can also help avail certain schemes offered by the Indian government.
• The Voter ID card proves and acknowledges that the cardholder is a registered voter of India.
• Voter ID also prevents fraudulent votes during elections.
• The card is a suitable choice for electoral purposes for the population with a low literacy rate.

Steps to Track the Status of Voter ID Application Online

Follow the steps mentioned below to check the status of the Voter ID card application:-

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

Step 2: Select the option of ‘Know the Voter ID status’ on the homepage.

Another way to track the application status is by visiting the National Voter’s Service Portal (NVSP). The steps to track the Voter ID application are as follows:

Step 1: Click on the ‘Track Application Status’ option on the homepage. 

Step 2: Enter the EPIC number or application number received after successfully submitting the application.

Step 3: Enter the details that include your name, date of birth, father’s name, state, gender and the constituency in the district.

Step 4: Click on the ‘Search’ option. The details of the application and status will be displayed on the screen.

Duplicate Voter ID

If someone loses or damages their Voter ID, they can apply for a duplicate Voter ID card. The commission has made it convenient and easier for citizens to apply for a duplicate card via the official portal or visit the nearest electoral office. One can apply for duplicate cards in case they are lost, stolen or the card has been in the condition of wear and tear.

Form EPIC – 002 needs to be submitted to apply for a duplicate card. This form can be downloaded from the various electoral offices’ portals or offices. The applicants need to furnish a few details, such as their state/union territory, address, full name, date of birth and the reason to apply for a duplicate Voter ID card.

If the previous card is lost or stolen, they need to add a copy of the FIR for the same. To apply for a duplicate card, they also need to furnish the documents that prove their identity, address, and two passport size photographs.

Link Mobile Number with Voter ID

Linking the mobile number with a Voter card can prove beneficial for cardholders. If the mobile number is linked with Voter ID, they can make the changes in their details for the card from anywhere and anytime. Also, there are many other benefits that cardholders can get by linking them both. 

Some of these benefits are as follows:-

• An alert message will be received on the number if someone else tries to make changes to the Voter ID card.
• The Voter ID number given to the citizen will not be deleted without informing them.
• The cardholders can check the status of their Voter ID from anywhere and anytime.
• Both the applicant and their family members can link the Voter ID on the same mobile number.
• By linking them both, the applicants can easily navigate themselves via the ‘Electors Verification Program’ with ease.

The applicants and beneficiaries can link the mobile number to their Voter ID card via the official portal of the Election Commission of India (EIC).

What To Do When You Don’t Receive Voter ID Card

Follow the directives as mentioned below in case you did not receive the Voter ID card after a successful application:-

• Visit the election office to get the application status with the reference number that you received after applying.
• You can also visit the official website of NVSP or the CEO to check the exact status of the Voter ID Card if not received after 30 days from the day of application submission.

It usually takes 30 days from the date of application submission for the Voter ID card to reach your doorsteps. But if you find any delay in its delivery or sense any discrepancies, you can visit the nearest election office to rectify the same.

NRI Voter ID

The Government of India has given the permit to non-residents of India (NRIs) for a Voter ID Card to take part in the democratic elections by casting their votes. This voter ID is known as NRI Voter ID. Digitisation has made it easy for the NRIs to apply for NRI Voter ID from anywhere in the world. They can apply for the card via the online portal without visiting India.

Why is a Voter ID Card Necessary?

A Voter ID Card is crucial for Indian residents who have attained the age of 18 for several reasons. But there are some prominent necessities of a Voter ID, which are mentioned below:-

• Identity Proof: The voter ID card serves as a valid proof of identity for the citizens of India, making it a necessity for cardholders. Working as a valid document, it can be used anywhere where valid proof of identity is required.
• To Cast Votes: If the Indian residents wish to cast their votes in the democratic elections, they must have a Voter ID Card.
• Registration for Non-Domicile State’s Electoral Roll: Another necessity of the Voter ID is that it allows people to register their names on the electoral rolls of states other than their own. This is especially useful if a person has moved to the region/constituency from another state and wants to join the electoral roll.

FAQ’s About Voter ID Cards:-