Disclaimer: Originally published in April 2019. It is being republished since it still remains an interesting topic till today.
The election season is well and truly upon us, with election campaigns in the country at their peak.
More than 100 million voters have been added to the list of eligible voters in India since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and they are buzzing to vote for the first time.
In fact, as per DownToEarth, an astonishing 52.6 million youngsters have been added to India’s voter base in the past 12 months. Now before they can vote, they need to get a voter ID card, of course.
The Election Commission of India issues voter ID cards in India. The card not just serves as an identity proof for voters, but also prevents impersonation, thus ensuring that the democratic elections are held in a fair and transparent manner.
Before moving on to the step-by-step guide on how to get your voter ID card, here are the documents that you will need to get your election card –
1. Identity Proof
- Aadhar card
- Passport
- Permanent account number (PAN) card
- Driving license
- Birth certificate
- High school mark-sheet
2. Address Proof
- Aadhar card
- Indian passport
- Driving license
- Bank account statements (not older than 3 months)
- Utility bills (water, electricity, phone or gas bills not older than 3 months)
- Rent agreement
3. Passport-sized photograph
If you have the valid documents and are of 18 years or above, you can apply for a voter ID card.
You can apply for your voter ID card both online or offline, as per your convenience.
Online Application Steps
- Visit the National Voter Services Portal (NVSP)
- Click on the “Apply online for registration of new voter/due to shifting from AC”
- Select the language convenient to you from the drop-down menu
- Fill in all the required details in the form, including your name, address and other personal details
- Upload the relevant documents such as identity proof, address proof, and a passport-size photograph
- Once you are done filling the form, just double-check all the entries and click on the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of the page
Also Read: As A First Time Voter Note The Importance Of NOTA, The Right To Register “None Of The Above”
Offline Application Steps
- Visit the nearest State election office in your locality
- Request for Form 6
- Fill the form with necessary details such as your name, address and other personal details
- Provide the required documents such identity proof, address proof, and a passport-size photograph
- Double-check all the entries in your form and then submit it to the election office
Now that the elections are near, most of the first-time voters must have applied for their voter IDs and are eagerly waiting to receive their cards. You can also track your application by following the steps below.
How To Track Your Voter ID Application
- Go to the National Voter Services Portal (NVSP)
- Click on ‘Track application status’
- Enter the reference ID that you must have got while filling Form 6
- Enter the required details and click on ‘search’ to get the status of your application
It usually takes around 30 days from the date of submission of your application to receive your ID card.
Make sure you cast your vote as each vote makes a difference. Your thought and decision-making will be key in deciding the future of the country.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Times of India, India Today, NDTV + more
Find the blogger at @manas_ED
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