Voter ID card (EPIC)
Issued byElection Commission of India
First issued1993
PurposeCasting vote, Identification
Valid inIndia
EligibilityAbove 18
ExpirationLifetime validity

The Indian Voter ID Card (officially the Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC)) 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[1] It is also known as Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC). It was first introduced in 1993 during the tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner T. N. Seshan.[2]

Physical appearance

Initially, voter IDs were printed with black ink on regular paper and laminated. Starting in 2015,[3] the Indian government started rolling out a less perishable PVC colour version, compliant with the ISO/IEC 7810 size standard[4] used by most payment and ATM cards.

An Indian Voter Identity Card

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.

Obtaining voter card

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.[5][6]

Those of "unsound mind", convicted of "corrupt practices", or offenses related to elections are ineligible to vote.[7]

Applicants have to submit paper Form-6 to their Booth Level officer (BLO) of the area.[8]

Applicants can also apply online on the website of the chief electoral officer given for that State[9][10] or can directly apply to the website named National Voter Service Portal (NVSP).[11]

New Application and Correction

Applying for Voter ID or make changes in existing Voter ID is also possible online via NVS Portal.[12] Online process is more convenient than offline process. Correction to existing voter ID can be done via NVS Portal using EPIC number. [17] Voter Helpline App also can be used for online application.[16] Applicant does not have to visit the electoral office and online tracking of application status also possible. Online application process is quicker than offline process.[13] Online ways made the process more simpler than ever[14]

Fake and defunct voter cards

Fake voter ID cards have occasionally been used fraudulently for other purposes by dubious parties and individuals to suit their personal needs. [15][16][17]

Validity

If a person moves his/her residence to another assembly/parliamentary constituency then he/she does not remain a valid voter of the 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.

Voting in India is a right, not a duty and hence the voter's identity card remains valid even after not casting ballot continuously in consecutive elections.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Indian Passengers". boi.gov.in.
  2. ↑ "Election Commission of India". Eci.nic.in. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. ↑ New Delhi, PTI. "New hard plastic voter identity card on the anvil". The Hindu Business Line. The Hindu Group of Companies. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  4. ↑ Singh, B.K. "e-Tender Notice for engaging reputed service provider firm/company/agency for printing and supply of personalized PVC EPIC Cards" (PDF). Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, DELHI. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "Epic Card". Bangaloreone.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Apply online, get your voter ID in a month - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 16 July 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Archived 8 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "Booth Level Officer; A Representative of Election Commission at the Grass-Root Level". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  9. ↑ "A Step By Step Procedure To Apply For Voter ID Card". 28 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala". Ceo.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "NVSP Service Portal". www.nvsp.in. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "NVSP Portal Login: Apply Voter ID Card Online 2022 (NVSP.in) - DIPSAR.org". 11 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "How to make Voter ID Correction Online?". www.digitalcsc.in.in. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "How to link Aadhaar card with Voter ID card?". www.techsonu.com. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "Fake voter ID card for just Rs 200 - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "ACP to face trial in fake voter ID case as court rejects plea - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Fake voter ID card racket busted". The Hindu. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2015.

[[Category:Electoral Area]]

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