VerifiedVoting is one of the most important duties of the citizens of a democratic country. It is a right by exercising which people choose their representatives in a particular constituency. In India, the biggest democracy in the world, voting decides which political party will be in power for a tenure of five years and which party will be in the opposition. From the centre head, that is, the Prime Minister to state head, that is, the Chief Minister, holder of every high office is selected through election or voting. Presently it is very easy to register to vote in India because the Election Commission has introduced registration to vote online in India. The Indian citizens who have already attained the age of 18 years as on 1st January of 2020 can go for online voting card registration through the Official website of ECI, this year.
Eligibility Criteria for Voting in India
The eligibility criteria for casting vote in India are:
The voter should be a citizen of India.
He/she should have attained 18 years of age on the qualifying date i.e. 1st January of the year when the electoral roll is revised.
He/she should be enrolled in the electoral roll of India or the polling area of the constituency where he/she lives.
On matching these criteria, one can register to vote in India using an online platform.
Voter Registration in India
The process to register to vote in India follows some simple steps which are stated below:
Step 1: Voter ID form 6
The first step to register to vote in India is to learn how to fill Form 6 online/offline. In the offline mode, the prospective voter will have to file the application along with the copies of all the relevant documents in person before the competent authority. The application can also be sent to the Level Officer of the concerned polling area via post.
Now, how to fill up Form 6 online? Here are the steps to do the same successfully:
Go to the page National Voters Service Portal.
Click on Apply Online for Registration of new elector.
A new window will appear with Form 6.
Fill up the form and click the Submit button.
Step 2: Document Submission
The following attested/certified documents are required to attach with Form 6 at the time of its submission:
1. ID Proof like Passport, Driving License, Pan Card, Student Identification Card.
2. Address Proof: To register to vote in India one must reside in the given address for at least six months.
Any of the below-mentioned documents can be submitted as valid address proof:
Bank/Kisan/Post Office present Pass Book
Ration Card
Passport
Driving License
Assessment Order of Income Tax
Recent Rental Agreement
Latest Telephone/Electricity/Gas Connection/Water Bill for the given address.
The documents may be either in the name of the applicant himself or in the name of his/her immediate relation (parents), any mail/post/letter delivered via Indian Postal Department to the individual’s name at the given address.
3. Age Proof: Applicants whose age is between 18 and 22 are required to submit an age verification document. The following documents may be produced as proof of age:
Birth certificate provided by Municipal Authority or District Office of the Register of Births and Deaths or Baptism certificate.
Birth certificate issued by Government or recognised school last attended by the candidate or any other recognised educational establishment.
Mark sheet with date of birth printed on it can be produced in case of class 10 pass applicants.
Mark sheets of class 5 or 8 will also work if the date of birth is printed on it.
Passport
PAN Card
Driving License
UIDAI issued Aadhar Card
Step 3: Final Step
The final step of registration of new elector is the submission of election commission of India form 6. The voter card form 6 can be submitted along with the relevant documents to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). One receipt must be given as a token of new voter registration online/offline. It will take one month to 45 days to give the status of voter ID form 6. The mode of contact will be either by mail or through call. The non-receipt of the same should be informed directly to the ERO. If the election arrives in the meantime, the applicant can cast his/her vote by carrying his/her Driving License, PAN Card, Passport etc.
Verification will be done by the competent authority after submission of voter card form 6 to check the information provided. After that, the applicant’s name will be included in the Electoral roll.
Wrapping Up
When a person attains the age of 18, questions like how to register to vote in India, how to register to vote online, or how to fill form 6 online naturally cross his/her mind. By following the above process, anyone can register to vote in India easily. The same can be done offline too but care should be taken that it is completed before the last date for voter registration.
