It is again that time of the year when you need your voter ID card to use your voting rights in the upcoming general election from 19 April 2024 to 1 June 2024. Since you rarely use your EPIC card, there’s a good chance you might have misplaced it. Instead of looking for it, you can vote using e-EPIC in the upcoming general elections.
Everything You Must Know about e-EPIC and Voting
Before exploring the intricacies of using e-EPIC for voting and other pertinent details, remember that individuals cannot register as voters in multiple locations. This limitation stems from the provisions in Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
What is e-EPIC?
e-EPIC is a secure digital portable document format (PDF) version of the EPIC that voters can download on their mobile or computer. A voter can thus store this digital voter card on his/her mobile, upload it as a PDF on Digilocker, or print it and self-laminate it. This is in addition to PCV (Polyvinyl Chloride) EPIC being issued currently.
How to Find Your EPIC Number?
If you don’t know or have lost your EPIC number, you can visit the official Electoral Search website and enter your details to find your EPIC number, along with a copy of the FIR/Police Report in case of lost EPIC.
Can I Cast My Vote Using e-EPIC?
Yes. If your name is on the voter list, you can go to the polling station to vote using e-EPIC. According to the protocol, you must bring additional identity proof (Aadhaar Card / Driving Licence / Passport / PAN card, etc.) to the polling station.
Image Credit: Media Name
How Can I Check My Name on the Voter List?
To check whether you are eligible to excise your voting right in the upcoming elections, follow the below-mentioned steps:
1. Visit the website of the Election Commission of India on a web browser.
2. Scroll down and click on the “Search Name in Voter List” option.
3. This will take you to the voter’s service portal, where you can search your name in the list using your:
- EPIC number – If you have a valid EPIC number, you can use it to check your name in the polling list.
- Details – You can use your demographic and family details to check your name in the list.
- Mobile Number – You can search for your name in the list via your registered mobile number.
4. Fill in your details and click the “Search” button to submit the search query.
You will get all the details about your EPIC number, including your name on the voting list and your polling station.
Suppose your phone number is not registered with the Election Commission of India. In that case, you must submit Form 8 to edit or update your Voter ID card via the online portal or your nearest offline center to link your mobile number to your voter ID card.
Submitting Phone Number via Form 8
1. Click on “Fill Form 8,” select “Other Elector,” type in your EPIC number, and click “Submit.”
2. Select voter details and click on “OK.”
3. A new pop-up will appear; select the “Correction of Entries in Existing Electoral Roll” and select “OK.”
4. Scroll down to the “B. Details section” and click on “Self” under Mobile Number, type in your number, and click on “Next.”
5. Select “Mobile Number,” type in your number again, and click “Next.”
6. Type in your place and click “Next” under the Declaration tab.
7. Type in the Captcha, verify with the OTP, and click “Preview and Submit.”
Please double-check the details you filled in the form, click “Submit,” and confirm your decision. Then, note down your acknowledgment number.
Can You Register as a Voter Before Completing 18 Years of Age?
There are four qualifying dates, with the amendment made in Section 14(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1950. Any ordinary resident of India who has completed or is completing 18 years of age on any of the four qualifying dates of the year can submit an advance application in Form-6 for registration any time in the year from the date of draft publication of the electoral roll during Special Summary Revision (SSR).
Image Credit: Aajtak
Applications will be processed and registered in the relevant quarter in which the applicant attains the qualifying age of 18 years. The four qualifying dates are:
- 01st January,
- 01st April,
- 01st July, and
- 01st October.
The Election Commission usually orders revisions to the existing electoral list every September and October. The revised list of voters is finally published in the first week of January of the coming year.
Can a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Settled in Foreign Become a Voter in India?
Yes, according to the provisions of Sec 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, amended by the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010. Any Indian citizen staying in a foreign country who has not acquired citizenship in any other country and falls under the eligibility criteria is eligible to be registered as a voter in the constituency where his Indian residence, mentioned in his passport, is located.
How Can I Register Myself as a Student Staying away From My Present Address?
If you are a student located far away from your native place, for educational or work purposes, you can register as a voter at your current residence. To do this, you must fill out Form 6 on the Election Commission’s website. Given the course the student is pursuing is recognized by central/state governments/boards/universities/deemed universities, such courses must be no less than one year in duration.
How Can a Homeless Person Register as a Voter Without Any Proof of Documentation?
In the case of homeless persons, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) will visit the address given in Form 6 for more than one night to ascertain that the homeless person sleeps at the place given as his address in Form 6. The Booth Level Officer, if assured they sleep at the given location, will take necessary action to enroll the homeless person, and the Electoral Registration Officer confirms they meet all the required conditions. In this case, no documentary proof of residence will be required.
How Do I Register Myself as a Voter at the New Residence I Have Shifted To?
If you have shifted to a new place for employment or any other reason, as a landlord or tenant, and have an EPIC number, you must fill out Form 8 on the Election Commission’s website for shifting residence. The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will issue you a new EPIC with the same number for your shifted address upon enrollment at the concerned Assembly Constituency.
Image Credit: Mint
How Can I Apply for Deletion of My Name From the Voting List?
If your neighbors or relatives have shifted to a new place or someone is no longer eligible to vote (in case of foreign settlement or death). You can request the deletion of the name of the shifted/dead/absentee elector in Form 7. If you encounter duplicate entries, use Form 7 to submit your application.
How Can a Disabled Person Vote in Elections?
To register, a person who is disabled and unable to visit the polling station to cast a vote should complete Form 8, designating themselves as a Person with Disability (PwD).
A PwD person gets the following facilities for voting:
- Polling Booth Assistance – You may get assistance from someone at the polling station who can help you vote or provide accessible voting facilities.
- Doorstep Service – In some areas, election officials may visit your home to help you cast your vote.
Can an NRI Settled in a Foreign Land Become a Voter in India?
Any Indian citizen staying in a foreign country has not acquired citizenship in any other country. If they qualify for voter registration in India, as per Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. They become eligible to register as a voter in the constituency of their residence in India, as mentioned in the passport.
To register, the NRI should apply via Form 6A on the Election Commission’s website, submitting all necessary documents. If they already possess an EPIC issued in India, they must surrender it. Once registered, their name is included in the voting list for the area based on the Indian residence mentioned in the passport.
Image Credit: Livelaw
If the residential address mentioned in the passport changes, the NRI should inform the Electoral Registration Officer. The officer should also be notified if the NRI returns to India and becomes an ordinary resident. They must re-register him as an ordinary resident.
How Can a Registered NRI Vote in India?
After enrolment, an overseas NRI can cast a vote in person at the polling station in the registered constituency, as an overseas NRI. They do not receive an EPIC; they can vote by presenting the original passport.
Wrapping Up
In this read, we discussed e-EPIC, registration, making changes, and casting your vote using e-EPIC in elections. If you have a complaint against any order of ERO, you should report it to the District Magistrate/Additional DM/Executive Magistrate/ District Collector. A further appeal against the order of the Appellate Authority will lie before the State’s Chief Electoral Officer. Stay tuned to GadgetsToUse for more such reads.
Also, Read:
- How to Apply, Edit, or Download Your Voter ID Card at Home
- 4 Easy Ways to Link Your Voter ID Card with Aadhaar Card
- How to Get Color Voter ID Card Online in India
- How to Use ‘cVIGIL’ App to Report Violations in Upcoming State Elections
You can also follow us for instant tech news at Google News or for tips and tricks, smartphones & gadgets reviews, join the GadgetsToUse Telegram Group, or subscribe to the GadgetsToUse YouTube Channel for the latest review videos.
