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Introduction
Elections are always massive events in India considering it is the biggest democracy in the world and draws a massive number of voters to the voting booths each year. Elections are held regularly in the form of Parliamentary Elections, State Assembly Elections, Local Municipal Elections, among others. These are conducted as per the guidelines and supervision of the Election Commission of India.
If you are a citizen of India and above 18 years of age, you are eligible to cast your vote in the area you reside in. It is your right as well as your responsibility to make use of your voting rights. The Election Commission of India maintains a constituency-wise voter list wherein all individuals who are eligible to vote are listed. If your name is not on the voter list, you will not be able to cast your vote. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your name is present in the voter list.
Introduction to Voter List
Voter List contains a record of all the voters residing in a particular constituency or ward. This list is maintained and updated by the Election Commission of India via its regional offices. If your name is on the voter list, only then are you allowed to cast your vote. The voter list is of great significance and if your name is on it, you do not need a Voter ID card to cast your vote. You can carry any valid proof of identity issued by the Government and cast your vote.
Importance of Voter List
Why do you need to check your name in the voter list? The Election Commission of India periodically updates the voter list. If it finds any discrepancies in details, the names of such voters are removed from the list. Some of the reasons for removal of name from voter list are:
- Death of the Voter
- Fake Voter Details
- Incorrect Particulars
- Change of Address/ No longer living at the given address
In case your name has been taken off the voter list due to any of the above reasons or by mistake, you will not be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections. It is therefore important for you to perform a regular voter list search. Also, if you have recently applied for inclusion of your name in the voter list, then you must check your name in the voter list. In the absence of this, you will risk being denied the right to vote at the time of elections.
For the convenience of all eligible citizens, the Election Commission of India maintains an online voter list. Here is a stepwise guide to check your name in the voter list of any election:
- Log-on to the official website of the election commission of India, i.e. https://eci.gov.in/
- Scroll down the page, and towards the left side of your screen you will be able to see an option “Search Name in Voter List.” Click on it.
- Here you can check your name in the voter list through two options:
- Search by Details: This option is suited for new or existing voters.
- Enter all the details on the particular fields on the screen, i.e. your name, date of birth, gender, father/husband’s name.
- Select the state, district or assembly constituency your name is registered in.
- Alternatively, you can select your location with the help of the map tool displayed on the screen.
- Enter the captcha code and click on the Search button.
- Search by EPIC number: This option is suitable only if you are an existing voter.
- On the screen, enter your EPIC number as displayed on your Voter ID.
- Select the state you reside in.
- Enter the Captcha code and click on the “Search Button.”
- Irrespective of which of the above mentioned two methods you use to search your name in the voter list, you will be redirected to the result page.
- If your name is on the voter list, you will be able to see the information on your screen.
- If your name is not on the list, then you need to get in touch with your nearest Electoral officer and intimate them regarding this discrepancy.
- You will be asked to fill the required forms and submit the necessary documents to process your application.
You need to check your name in the Voter List as otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote in any of the upcoming elections.
Check Name in Voter List Using Helpline Number
The Election Commission of India has a free helpline number to help voter get the required information on time. The toll-free helpline number is 1950. Citizens can call this number and get connected to a representative in their particulate state who will help the caller with any information required. People can also use this helpline to lodge complaints.
For differently-abled people, the Election Commission has come up with an SMS service. They have to enter the symbol star (*) followed by their voter ID number to get help. This service also records the number of differently-abled voters of each region. If a person sends an SMS without the symbol star, then a reply SMS consisting details of the nearest polling booth where the voter is registered will be sent. The Election Commission of India introduces many facilities to make the voting process easy. However, it is the citizen’s responsibility to go ahead and cast their vote.
FAQs
1. Can a non-citizen of India become a voter in the electoral rolls in India?
No. A person who is not a citizen of India is not eligible for registration as a voter in the electoral rolls in India. Even those who have ceased to be citizens of India on acquiring the citizenship of another country are not eligible to be enrolled in the electoral rolls in India.
2. Who is eligible for enrollment as a Voter?
Every Citizen Who is 18 years old on the qualifying date - 1st January of the concerned year, unless disqualified is eligible to be enrolled
- Enrolment only at ordinary places of residence.
- Enrolment only at one place.
- Overseas Indian deemed to be ordinarily resident at the address given in passport.
- Service Voters deemed to be ordinarily resident at their home address.
3. I have completed 18 years of age today. Can you get yourself registered as a voter?
No. You can get yourself registered as Voter only on Ist January or thereafter of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared or revised.
4. Can one be enrolled at more than one place?
No. A person cannot be enrolled as a voter in more than one place in the same constituency or more than one constituency given the provisions contained under Sec. 17 and 18 of R. P. Act, 1950.
5. How can you check your name in an electoral roll?
Go to the homepage of the website of the respective State CEOs and click on the tab "Check your Name in the Voters’ list" OR use SMS facility for checking your details Type EPICVoter ID No and sent to 9211728082.
6. How can you find the status of your application for enrolment?
Go to the homepage of the website of the respective state CEOs and click on the tab "Know the Status of Your application for enrolment."
7. How long does it take to change the address in voter ID?
It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for the changes to be made in the voter ID after the applicant has applied for the changes.
End Note
After a citizen has checked his or her eligibility to vote and has enrolled as a voter, a voter slip from the Election Commission will be issued which confirms the citizen's name on the voter list. This slip, along with a photo ID proof recognized by the Election Commission, can act as a voter card. If the resident fails to get the voter slip, they can check online or call the helpline to find out.