Voter ID Card Complete Guide

Voter ID Card, officially known as Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), is an identification document issued by the Election Commission of India to Indian citizens who are eligible to vote. It serves as proof of identity and address during elections.

The Voter ID card contains your name, photograph, EPIC number, date of birth, address, and your constituency details. It's essential for exercising your democratic right to vote in all elections in India.

If you're 18 years or above and an Indian citizen, you can register as a new voter through the National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP). The process involves submitting Form 6 online or offline.

• Step 1: Visit National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP)
• Step 2: Click on "Apply online for registration of new voter"
• Step 3: Fill Form 6 with accurate personal details
• Step 4: Upload required documents (photo, age proof, address proof)
• Step 5: Submit application and note Reference ID
• Step 6: BLO will visit for verification (if required)
• Step 7: Track application status using Reference ID

Processing Time: Voter ID card typically arrives within 30-45 days after successful verification. You can download e-EPIC immediately after your name appears in the electoral roll.

Required Documents for New Registration:

• Age Proof: Birth Certificate, Class 10 Certificate, PAN Card, Passport
• Address Proof: Aadhaar, Utility Bill, Bank Passbook, Rent Agreement
• Photograph: Recent passport size color photo
• Optional: Disability certificate (if applicable)

You can correct or update details in your Voter ID card like name spelling, address, date of birth, photo, or other demographic information. Different forms are used for different types of corrections.

Types of Corrections & Required Forms:

• Form 8: Correction of entries in electoral roll (name, address, photo, etc.)
• Form 8A: Shifting within same constituency
• Form 6: For shifting to another constituency (treated as new registration)
• Form 7: Objection for deletion of name (for deceased or shifted voters)

Online Correction Process:

• Visit NVSP portal and login with your credentials
• Select appropriate form based on correction type
• Fill online form with correct details
• Upload supporting documents for the changes
• Submit application and note Reference ID
• BLO verification may be conducted
• Track status using Reference ID

e-EPIC is a digitally signed portable document format (PDF) version of your Voter ID card that's equally valid as the physical card. It was launched on 25th January 2021 and can be downloaded instantly.

How to Download e-EPIC:

• Visit NVSP portal or voters.eci.gov.in/login
• Login using your mobile number (linked with Voter ID)
• Enter EPIC number or Form Reference number
• Verify OTP sent to your registered mobile number
• Click "Download e-EPIC" to get PDF version

Features of e-EPIC:

• Digitally signed by Election Commission of India
• Equally valid as physical Voter ID card
• Available instantly - no waiting for postal delivery
• Can be saved on smartphone (size ~250KB)
• Can be printed and laminated if needed
• Can be uploaded to DigiLocker for safekeeping

You can check your name in the electoral roll (voter list) through the Electoral Search portal. This helps verify your registration details and polling station information.

Ways to Check Voter List:

• Search by Details: Using name, father's name, age, gender, etc.
• Search by EPIC Number: Direct search using Voter ID number
• Search by Location: Using state, district, assembly constituency
• NVSP Mobile App: Download Voter Helpline app for search

Online Search Process:

• Visit Electoral Search Portal (electoralsearch.eci.gov.in)
• Select search method (Details or EPIC Number)
• Enter required information and captcha code
• Click "Search" to view your voter details
• Verify all details including polling station
• Download voter slip or raise grievance if needed

Special Intensive Revision (SIR): Election Commission periodically conducts Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) verify details door-to-door.

Booth Level Officer (BLO) is a local government or semi-government officer appointed by the Election Commission for voter list related work. The BLO is usually a resident of the same area where they are appointed.

Who Can Be Appointed as BLO?

BLOs are typically selected from these categories of government/semi-government employees:

• Teachers (Primary and others)
• Anganwadi Workers
• Patwari/Amin/Lekhpal
• Panchayat Secretary
• Electricity Bill Reader
• Postman/Dak Peon
• Assistant Nurse & Midwife
• Mid-Day Meal Workers
• Contract Teachers
• Municipal Tax Collector

Roles & Responsibilities of BLO:

• Help in new voter registration in their area
• Assist in voter list corrections and deletions
• Distribute Voter ID cards to eligible voters
• Help with Form 6, 7, 8 and other electoral forms
• Deliver voter slips to homes before elections
• Conduct door-to-door verification during Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
• Provide ground-level information to Election Commission