One of the key features of democracy is equal and fair rights for every citizen of that particular democratic country irrespective of their backgrounds to eliminate discrimination and establish a fair nation for all. Democracy equips people with innumerable rights and one of those rights is the right to choose their leader; a leader who would work to maintain a balance in the ecosystem.

One of the things that help in achieving the same is voter ID cards. It is a primary document used in the comprehensive process of voting and ensures that every citizen participates by using their respective voter ID cards. Voting is an essential component of a democratic nation and voter ID cards are a strong pillar that helps in keeping elections away from criminal activities like fraud. Apart from voting, voter ID cards are also used as proof of identity in various government and private settings.

Voter ID cards were previously known as the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India to the eligible citizens of India. Voter ID cards comprise all the essential details of the citizens and have security features as well so that no one can duplicate somebody else’s card without their permission to carry out fraudulent activities.

Hence, a voter ID card isn’t merely a government-issued document but a way through which the citizens of India participate in important democratic decisions.

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Voter ID Structure

The structure of a voter ID card is designed carefully to enhance its functionality, accuracy, and security to protect the sanctity of the electoral process of the country. Various key elements of a voter ID card are listed below in detail:

• Photograph: The photographs of the voters are attached at the top of the card. This helps the officials make certain that the person who is casting the vote is the same person whose card it is. The photographs must be clear and passport-sized.

• Unique EPIC number: Every voter ID card contains a unique Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. It helps in the identification of voters as every EPIC number is different for every voter. This is provided to ensure proper record-keeping, tracking voter history, and updating the voter database.

• Full name: The full name of the voter is written below the photograph on a voter ID card. The name is written in bold and in both English and the regional language of the voter’s state. The name is written in two languages so that both the officials and the voters themselves can easily recognise it.

• Father’s or spouse’s name: The voter ID card also contains the name of the father or spouse, if the voter is married. This is used to verify their identity especially when multiple people have the same name and surname in an area.

• Gender: The gender of the voter is also mentioned on the card.

• Date of birth or age: Date of birth or age is also mentioned in the card at the time of issuance to confirm that they are above the legal age of 18 to exercise their voting rights. This prevents underage people from casting votes.

• Residential address: The residential address or the place where the voter lives helps the system in determining the area where they can vote.

• Hologram: Every voter ID card contains a special hologram and barcode so that no one can duplicate or forge other people’s cards. The hologram is usually near the EPIC number in the form of a metallic strip. Some cards may also have barcodes. Both the holograms and barcodes help the officials in verifying the authenticity of the card with the cardholder.

• Signature of the Electoral Officer: The electoral officer’s signature or stamp is also present on the card.

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How To Apply For A Voter ID Card Online?

To apply for a voter ID card, please follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Please visit the official website of the National Voter Service’s Portal (NSVP).

2. Click on the ‘New registration for general electors’ and sign up by filling in your details and verifying the One-Time Password (OTP) received through your mobile number.

3. After registering, log in to your account, click on ‘Form 6’, and fill in all your details like name, date of birth, gender, address, family details, and mobile number or mail ID.

4. After filling the form accurately, click on ‘submit’.

5. After submitting Form 6, the local Booth Level Officer (BLO) verifies the details and accepts or rejects on its basis.

How To Apply For A Voter ID Card Offline?

To apply for a voter ID card offline, please follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Please locate and visit the nearest Electoral Registration Office or the local Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

2. Request for Form 6 which is free of cost.

3. Fill in your details accurately and submit it to the BLOs.

4. After submitting, the officers will provide you with an acknowledgement or reference number.

5. After submitting Form 6, the local Booth Level Officer (BLO) verifies the details and accepts or rejects on its basis.

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What Is The EPIC Number On A Voter ID Card?

The Electoral Photo Identity Card Number or EPIC number is a unique identification number assigned to each voter ID card. It serves a major role in identifying the voters with their voter ID cards. Some of its other key features are:

• Tracking voter’s voting history: With the help of the EPIC number, officials can easily track a voter’s voting history and other necessary details.

• Database management: EPIC number allows the authorities to manage the voters’ database efficiently and swiftly.

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How To Find EPIC Numbers Online?

One can find their respective EPIC Numbers by:

1. Visit the official website of the National Voter Service’s Portal.

2. Under the ‘Services’ tab, navigate to the ‘Search in Electoral Roll’ option and click on it.

3. There are three options in it, ‘Search by EPIC’, ‘Search by details’, or ’Search by Mobile’.

4. Choose your preferred method and click on ‘search’ after filling in the necessary details.

5. A list of voter details will appear. Please match your information with it and find your EPIC Number.

What Documents Are Required For Voter ID Cards?

Certain documents are required to be attached to obtain a voter ID card. Those documents are listed below:

• Identity proof (like an Aadhaar card)

• Address proof (like electricity or water bills)

• Proof of age (like birth certificate)

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How To Track Voter ID Application Status Online?

To track the status of one’s application for a voter ID card, please follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Visit the official website of the NSVP portal.

2. Under the ‘Services’ tab, find the ‘Track Application Status’ and click on it.

3. Log in to your account using your registered mobile number.

4. Fill in the unique reference number received after the successful submission of an application.

5. After filling it in, check the status of your application.

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How To Verify Voter ID?

To verify one voter ID and ensure that all the information is correct and precise, one needs to follow some simple steps mentioned below:

1. Visit the official website of the NSVP portal.

2. Under the ‘Services’ tab, navigate to the ‘Search in Electoral Roll’ option and click on it.

3. Log in to your account using your registered mobile number or EPIC number.

4. After logging in, one can check all their details.

How To Download Voter ID Using EPIC Number?

Please follow the below-mentioned steps to download your voter ID cards with the help of your EPIC Number:

1. Visit the official website of the NSVP portal.

2. Under the ‘Services’ tab, find the ‘E-EPIC Download’ option and click on it.

3. Log in to your account using your registered mobile number or EPIC number.

4. After logging in, click on ‘Download EPIC Online’ after which your voter ID card will be downloaded into your device in PDF format.

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How To Download Voter ID in The Voter Helpline App?

Please follow the below-mentioned steps to download your voter ID cards with the help of the Voter Helpline App:

1. Download the Voter Helpline App which is available for both, android and iOS users.

2. After downloading, log in using your credentials.

3. Find the ‘Download E-EPIC’ option from the home screen of the app.

4. Fill in your EPIC number or other details.

5. Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

6. Download the voter ID card in a PDF format.

What Are The Forms Required For Applying For A Voter ID Online?

Various forms are required to be filled in by the applicant who wants to apply for a voter ID card, such as

Form	Purpose	Description
Form 6	New User Registration	Helps applicants in applying for a voter ID card for the first time or after moving to a new area.
Form 6A	Inclusion of Names in the Electoral Roll by Overseas Voters	allows Indian citizens residing abroad (NRIs) to get their names included in the electoral area.
Form 6B	EPIC & Aadhar	Allows people to get their EPIC numbers.
Form 7	Deletion of Names from Electoral Roll	Allows people to get their name deleted from an electoral roll.
Form 8	Correction of Entries in Voter List	Helps people edit the present details of their voter ID cards such as changes in name, address, or other such information.
Form M	Migrants of Kashmir	Allows migrants from the state of Kashmir to cast votes from the special polling stations in Delhi, Jammu, and Udhampur.

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What To Do If Your Voter ID Card Isn’t Received?

If for some reason, one fails to receive their voter ID cards, they can address the issue by:

• Check the status of your application through NSVP’s portal or application.

• Contact the Electoral Registration Office (ERO) from your respective state’s election commission’s website.

• One can also contact the local Booth Level Officer (BLO) and inquire about the same.

• If you still don’t receive your voter ID cards, fill out Form 8 for corrections in address or apply for a duplicate voter ID card by contacting the Electoral Registration Office (ERO).

How To Upload Voter ID in DigiLocker?

DigiLocker is a digital locker for important documents. One can upload their voter ID card by

1. Register or log in to your DigiLocker account through their website or application.

2. Find the ‘Upload Document’ option under the ‘My Documents’ tab from the homepage.

3. Choose ‘Voter ID’ from the list of documents and if you can’t find it, choose ‘Other Documents’.

4. Scan and take a picture of the voter ID card and upload it.

Points To Note Before Applying For A Voter ID

Before applying for a voter ID card, one needs to ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria issued by the regulatory body. The eligibility criteria are:

• Applicants must be an Indian citizen.

• Applicants must be 18 years old.

• Applicants must be residents of the area where they are applying.

• Ensure that you’ve all the necessary documents ready and in hand.

• Make certain that you’re filling in the correct details in the correct forms.

• Ask about the usual processing time for getting a voter ID card from the authorities.

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Who Rolls Out The Digital Voter ID Cards?

The digital voter ID cards or the E-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card) are given by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Digital voter ID cards or E-EPICs eliminate the hassles associated with having a physical card and make the whole process of applying for and using voter ID cards more easier and convenient.

How To Vote Without A Voter ID Card?

If one doesn’t have a voting card but still wishes to cast a vote, they can do so with the help of other government-issued documents such as:

• Aadhar card

• PAN card

• Driving license

• Passbook of banks

• Passport

• Smart card by the Registrar General of India (RGI)

• Health Insurance Smart Card

How To Change An Old Voter ID Card To A New One?

If one wishes to change their voter ID cards with a new one because of some reason, they can do so by:

• Determine the reason for wanting a new voter ID card. Some of the common reasons are changes in personal details like name or address or changes in residency areas.

• Select the appropriate forms:

1. Form 8 for correction in the existing details.

2. Form 6 for if you’ve permanently moved to a new area.

• Visit the official website of the NSVP portal, fill out the relevant form with the necessary details, and submit it.

• Keep checking the status of your application from the NSVP portal.

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How To Correct Details In The Voter ID Card?

To correct the details in your existing voter ID cards, follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Identify the incorrect details.

2. Visit the official website of the NSVP portal.

3. Choose Form 8 for corrections in the existing voter ID cards.

4. Upload the necessary documents as proof of the required changes and submit the form.

NRI Voter ID Card

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also apply for a voter ID card in India if:

• They possess the citizenship of India.

• Are registered as a voter in India.

• And are registered in an electoral roll of a specific area in India.

How Can NRI Electors Apply For Voter ID Cards Online?

NRIs who wish to apply for a voter ID card online can do so by following the steps listed below:

1. Visit the official website of the NSVP portal.

2. Fill out Form 6A from the homepage of the portal designed for overseas voters.

3. Attach the relevant documents like proof of citizenship and proof of address.

4. Apply after which verification will be conducted by the officials and voter ID cards will be issued based on the verification.

How Can NRI Electors Apply For Voter ID Cards Offline?

NRIs who wish to apply for a voter ID card offline can do so by following the steps listed below:

1. Download Form 6A from the NSVP portal or by collecting it from the Indian embassy or consulate.

2. Fill out Form 6A designed for overseas voters and attach the relevant documents like proof of citizenship and proof of address.

3. Apply to the Indian embassy or consulate officials.

4. Verification will be conducted by the officials and voter ID cards will be issued based on the verification.

Voter ID Card Correction In Electoral Roll

To update or correct information on one’s voter ID card within the electoral roll, one needs to follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Identify errors in the existing information.

2. Visit the official website of the NSVP portal.

3. Choose Form 8 for corrections in the existing voter ID cards.

4. Attach the relevant documents like proof of citizenship and proof of address.

5. Submit the form along with the relevant documents.

6. Once the information is processed, the concerned voter will receive an update through the mail.

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What Do The Voter ID Cards Contain?

Voter ID Cards or the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in India contain various key pieces of information used to identify and verify the voters such as:

1. Personal Information like a voter’s name, date of birth, and photograph.

2. Voter details like EPIC Number and gender.

3. Residential address of the voter.

4. Holograms for security and to reduce the risk of someone duplicating a voter’s voter ID card.

5. The card indicates that it is issued by the ECI which proves its authenticity.

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Uses Of An Election Card Or Voter ID Card

The voter ID cards can be used for a range of services such as:

• Voting: The primary function of an election card is to cast a vote in election times within their residency area.

• Electoral roll correction: Voter ID cards are used for correcting information in the electoral roll.

• Proof of identity: It serves as identity proof for the citizens of India and can be used in various government and private settings.

• Accessing government schemes: People can access various welfare schemes offered by the government of India by using their voter ID cards as their proof of identity.

• Travel and financial transactions: Voter ID cards are also used as IDs for domestic travel, however, it isn’t that common. Banks accept voter ID cards for opening a bank account.

What Is a Voter Helpline App?

The Voter Helpline App is a mobile application developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and available for both, android and iOS users. It offers all the services offered on the NSVP’s portal ranging from new user registration to corrections in the existing information.

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Conclusion

The Voter ID card is a crucial document that enables the citizens of India to vote and prove their identities by using it as identity proof. The cards help streamline and organise the system of democracy in India.

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Important Links

Official NVSP Portal: https://voters.eci.gov.in/

Election Commission of India: https://www.eci.gov.in/

Contact Information of ECI: https://www.eci.gov.in/contact-us