Voter ID Card

About Voter ID Card

In August, 1993, the Election Commission of India ordered the making of photo identity cards for all voters of the country in an attempt to improve the accuracy of the electoral rolls and prevent electoral fraud.To take advantage of the latest technological innovations, the Commission issued revised guidelines for the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) Program in May 2000. More than 450 million voter or election identity cards have been distributed across India till now.

The voter ID card or EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) 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's list are eligible to receive a voter ID card also known as election card. These election cards carry personal details and a distinct identification number. In future, data of a biometric nature like digital signature and fingerprints may also be contained inside a microchip, embedded in the given election card.

The EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) proves to be a unique identity document for all Indians. The election card is helpful not only for casting a vote in elections but also acts as an identity proof and address proof for opening a bank account, getting a new gas connection, and online reservations for travel and accommodation. In fact nowadays almost all government agencies, insurance companies, mortgage companies like bank agencies (if you are going to apply for mortgage or any other personal loan), and claim firms (Insurance claims) ask for a voter ID number. A voter ID card is also essential for registration in the electoral roll in case a person migrates to a place other than the place of his/her domicile.

Eligibility criteria to register for a Voter ID Card

For any person who wishes to practice his/her right to vote will need to have a valid voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India. A valid voter card primarily serves as a proof of identification for citizens of Indian while casting their vote at Municipal, State or National elections. The eligibility criteria to register oneself for voter ID card is :

• The applicant must hold Indian Citizenship
• The applicant must have attained or be above 18 years of age on the qualifying date which is the 1st January of the year of revision of electoral roll

How to Make a Voter ID Card

To get a voter ID Card or EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card), first of all you have to get registered as a voter by filling and submitting the form 6/8/8A to the electoral Registration officer (ERO) and then submit the form 001A to apply for a voter identity Card. If you are already a registered voter i.e. your name is already in the voter's list, you can submit the Form 001C to the ERO. Collect the receipt duly signed by the ERO.

How to Apply for Voter ID Card Offline

To issue voter ID cards to all registered voters, the Election Commission of India (ECI) organizes drives via Designated Photographic Locations (DPLs), at specific time periods. During these drives, the ECI advertises in all major newspapers of the state. All registered voters are also given information notices by the EROs of each area. The notices issued contain useful information such as the constituency number and the polling booth or part number. It also mentions the date on which voter IDs will be issued for a particular polling booth and address of the 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. All the necessary details are recorded, a photograph is taken and the election card is issued thereafter. 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).One can also apply for a voter ID Card or EPIC online by submitting online voter ID registration forms. Below is the procedure and website for online registration of voter ID cards

How to Apply for Voter ID Card Online

To apply for a voter ID Card online, a candidate must have an e-mail ID, his/her ID and address proof like driving license or ration card and the circle area number which he/she belongs to. The second step starts at the following website; http://eci-citizenservices.nic.in/frmForm6New.aspx (copy and paste the link in a new tab to visit the official site for Online registration of voter ID or election Card). The official site for the election commission is, it provides Form 6 (which is for inclusion of name in voter List). You can also apply for voter ID correction. For this you will also find an option for Form-8 (which is for correction in data of an existing voter ID card). If you want to apply for a new voter ID card choose the option of Form 6. On clicking the link you will be redirected to http://eci-citizenservices.nic.in/frmForm6New.aspx (Form 6 page). There you can submit your mobile number and immediately receive a username and password by SMS. Now you need to fill your details online. After submitting the details, you will be given an Application ID. Print the page and write down the Application ID. After that you should login at http://eci-citizenservices.nic.in with the user name and password given by SMS on your mobile number. Edit the data if required and fill other details. Submit it and take a printout of submitted form. You will also need to upload the scanned copy of proof of date of birth, residence address and identity proof. Send the printed copy with your latest photo, photo copy of proof of date of birth, residence address and identity proof at the address provided in the printed copy. Submit the Application Form along with the documents required to the concerned Electoral Officer of the Assembly constituency where you reside. Collect the receipt duly signed by the ERO.

Thereafter you will receive your voter ID card at your nearest ERO or you can also track the status of your application by using the Application ID.

Documents required for obtaining a Voter Identification Card:

Following documents are needed while applying for an election or voter ID card -
1. Address proof
2. Age proof
3. Passport size photographs
4. Voter ID Application form

For Address proof one may provide any of the following documents:

- Mobile telephone bill
- Land phone bill
- Water bill
- Electricity bill
- Property tax receipt
- Bank statement
- Passport
- Ration card
- House Lease/Rental agreement
- LPG receipt
- Driving license
- Identity cards given by the employer
- Any of the alternative documents prescribed by Election Commission for identity proof.

For age proof one may provide the following documents(if between 18 to 21 years):

• Birth certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or district office of the Registrar of Births & Deaths or Baptism certificate;
• or Birth certificate from the school (Gola. / Recognized) last attended by the applicant or any other recognized educational institution;
• or if a person is class 10 or more pass, he should give a copy of the marksheet of class 10, if it contains date of birth as a proof of date of birth;
• or Marksheet of class 8 if it contains date of birth;
• or Marksheet of class 5 if it contains date of birth;
• or IndianPassport;
• or PAN card;
• or Driving License;
• or Aadhar letter/Card issued by UIDAL

In case of unavailability of above documents a declaration by either of the parents (or by the guru in case of an elector in third gender category) of the applicant in a prescribed format of Annexure II of form 6 can be submitted as per the guidelines in the form. In such cases, the applicant will have to be present himself for verification before Booth Level Officer /Assistant Electoral Registration Officer / Electoral Registration Officer. Further in case of unavailability of any of the documents and the parents of the applicant not being alive, a certificate of age given by the sarpanch of the concerned Gram Panchayat or Municipal corporation/Municipal Committee can be submitted by the applicant.

In case of application for a fresh registration being made by an applicant who is above 21 years of age and his/her name is not included on the electoral roll in anywhere in India then a declaration of age has to be given by the applicant as per Annexure III of form 6 if not the application is liable to be rejected.