How to register to vote in India | Eligibility and process

Elections and voting are like festivals celebrating democracy. It not only allows us to pick the person who will represent us for five years, but it also helps us understand the value of citizenship. Elections are, without a doubt, used to lay the political foundations of our country. Voter registration is required to cast a ballot. If you haven’t registered to vote and aren’t familiar with the process, look at the below steps to understand how to vote in India.

Who is eligible to register to vote in India?

You must be a citizen of India to register to vote. One must have attained the age of 18 years and be a resident of India for at least six months (183 days) immediately before the date of applying for registration as a voter. You cannot register if you:

• Are not qualified to be elected as a member of Parliament or State Legislature, i.e., if you are an undischarged insolvent or convicted person;
• Are of unsound mind; and
• Are you subject to any law which makes it illegal for you to vote in elections in India, such as being a foreigner

Documentation required

You must provide proof of your current residential address and date of birth. In addition, you should also provide the below documents

• A driving license that has been in your possession for at least one year (not an international driving license)
• A passport with a current address stamp issued within the last three years
• Proof that you’re employed by an employer who either has fewer than ten employees or you are self-employed (and have been for at least one year)

If you’re eligible to vote, you’ll need to submit proof of age and present identity documents as proof. Acceptable forms of identification include a passport or driving license. You can also use a birth certificate, but if that’s not an option for you, any other official document that shows your age will do (like a ration card).

If you have an Aadhaar card, it can be used as proof of age and identity when registering to vote online. This can be done through the National Electoral Search Portal.

You may also use a driving license or passport as proof of age and identity while registering to vote online. You should note that if your name is different on these documents, they will not be accepted as valid ID proofs unless accompanied by other acceptable documents like a voter card, PAN card, or ration card (if applicable).

If you don’t have any of these documents, you can submit any copy of proof of address with your name on it, such as rental agreement/passbook/bank statement/electric bill, etc., along with your voter ID card at your polling booth during elections if required by officials at that time

How to register to vote in India?

You will need to fill out a voter registration form called Form 6, also known as Application for Inclusion of Name in Electoral Roll for First Registration. The state is available on the Election Commission website and can be downloaded by clicking here. After filling out the form, you’ll need to submit it physically or online with your local election commission office.

In addition to filling out Form 6, you may also have to provide other documentation to prove your identities, such as proof of residence (a copy of an electricity bill or bank statement) or proof of citizenship (a passport). These requirements vary by state, so check with your local election commission office before submitting any documents.

If you cannot complete this week that the form, you can get help from an election official or authority. This person should be available at your local polling station. You should also check with your local government what qualifications they need for a person to become an election official.

Further Process

When applying for inclusion of name in the electoral roll, you need to provide your name and gender, date of birth, details about your father, mother, or spouse whose name is included in the electoral roll, address for correspondence, and permanent address if it differs from correspondence address.

• You can apply for the inclusion of your name in the electoral roll online by visiting the official website of the Election Commission of India.
• If you are unaware of how to register on this portal, you may visit their regional offices or call them at their toll-free number 1800111213.
• Furthermore, if there is any issue regarding the inclusion/exclusion of an individual’s name in the electoral roll at any particular stage, they can contact their respective district collector, who will look into it and take necessary measures to resolve such issues effectively.

The application has to be signed by the applicant as well as anyone who operates as a designated witness such as MP, MLA, Gazetted Officer, or Tehsildar/Naib Tehsildar/Block Development Officer/Municipal Commissioner/Chief Officer of a Municipality.

Key takeaways

The process of registering to vote in India is easy. 

The first step is to know your location. You can find out your place from the Election Commission of India website or by downloading an app on your phone. Once you know where you live, then it’s time for the next step: fill out a form.

After filling out a form with details about yourself, such as name, address, age, and other information, submit this form at the polling booth on the day of voting.

The final step is casting your vote! After registering with the Electoral Office (EO), voters can cast their votes during elections at booths set up by them across the country. 

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FAQs

Q1. What happens after you register to vote?

Ans – The electoral roll includes your name when you register to vote. You are qualified to cast a ballot in the elections.

Q2. How do I change the information on my voter ID?

Ans – The following forms can be used to submit applications: Forms for adding names (New Voter Registration), removing words (Deletion for Voter ID), correcting entries (Correction in Voter ID), and changing names within the same constituency are all available (Shifted to other places).

Q3. Can Nonresident Indians (NRI) register to vote in India?

Ans – It is now possible for NRIs to apply while traveling outside of India. You are eligible to use it s long as you do not hold citizenship in any other nation. You must have reached the age of 18 on the qualifying date and be an Indian citizen.