A Voter ID Card, also known as the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is a photo identity card that is issued by the Election Commission of India to all individuals who are eligible to vote.
The primary purpose of this card is to improve the accuracy of the electoral roll and to help prevent cases of electoral fraud. Additionally, it also serves as an identification proof when individual’s cast their vote. This card is commonly known by other names such as an election card, voter’s card, Voter ID, etc.
Exercising one’s franchise is every Indian citizen’s right as per the Indian Constitution and to do this, one requires a voter’s ID card. Every Indian citizen above the age of 18 years is permitted to apply for a voter ID/election card. In addition to allowing an individual to take part in the democratic process, it also serves as valid identification proof for everything from applying for a loan to buying a house. Generally people put off applying for one due to the long drawn out application process.
Earlier, it was possible to apply for a voter’s card only prior to an election, either local or national. However, the Election Commission of India has now made it easier to apply for a voter’s card from the comfort of your home through an online application process.
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Every five years, election is conducted in India. The responsibility of all the citizens is extremely important in the election process as they need to elect the ideal leader by casting their votes. Voter ID card is an identity provided to eligible voters, using which they can cast their vote in the elections in India. The voter ID card is authorized by the Government of India as an identification proof. Once you apply for the card, you can check the voter ID status online.
India is one of the world’s largest democratic countries, which constitutes of millions of people. Given the diversity that the country sustains, there are innumerable political parties that have been formed in every state, district or town. Elections are an elaborate affair in India and also a very integral part of the democracy. Elections in India are held once every 5 years. As responsible citizens of the nation, it is our duty to exercise our right to vote. However, since it involves very large part of the population, elections are never an easy affair. There are innumerable instances of electoral fraud that take place during elections, beside many other such malpractices. Hence, to smoothen things to an extent, the Election Commission of India has introduced the system of Voter ID cards
The Indian voter ID card is an identity document issued by the Election Commission of India to adult domiciles of India who have reached the age of 18, which primarily serves as an identity proof for Indian citizens while casting their ballot in the country’s municipal, state, and national elections. It also serves as general identity, address, and age proof for other purposes such as buying a mobile phone SIM card or applying for a passport. It also serves as a Travel Document to travel to Nepal and Bhutan by Land or Air It is also known as Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC). It was first introduced in 1993 during the tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan.
Initially, voter IDs were printed with black ink on regular paper and laminated. Starting in 2015, the Indian government started rolling out a less perishable PVC colour version, compliant with the ISO/IEC 7810 size standard used by most payment and ATM cards.
On the front, the Elector Photo Identity Card contains the voter’s name, the name of a relative they have chosen (such as their father or mother), and the voter’s picture, along with the voter’s ID number. On the back of the card, the voter’s home address is printed, along with an image of their Electoral Registration Officer’s signature. The back also mentions the voter’s electoral district and their assembly constituency. The newer series also contains a ‘part number’, which lets voters and election officials locate voters on their electoral roll.
The voter card is issued to all Indian citizens who have attained the age of 18 years and qualify to be a voter. One has to apply on prescribed Form-6 of Election Commission attached with proof of ID, Indian nationality, age and residence.
Those of “unsound mind”, convicted of “corrupt practices”, or offenses related to elections are ineligible to vote.
Applicants have to submit paper Form-6 to their Booth Level officer (BLO) of the area.
Applicants can also apply online on the website of the chief electoral officer given for that State or can directly apply to the website named National Voter Service Portal (NVSP).
Fake voter id cards have occasionally been used fraudulently for other purposes by dubious parties and individuals to suit their personal needs.
If a person moves his/ her residence to another assembly constituency then he does not remain a valid voter of previous constituency. The person has to register afresh as voter in the new assembly constituency. Hence a new card is issued to him/her and the old card becomes invalid.