With around 90 crores eligible voters this time, the General Elections 2019 is said to be the biggest festival of the Indian democracy. These elections will be held in seven phases from April 11th- May 19th.
Amrutam also cares about social events that influence us daily. We have compiled some Frequently Asked Questions about the elections to help you better. Let’s be a little more informed, shall we?
Question: Can I vote in these elections?
Answer: If you are an Indian citizen above the age of 18 years and have registered yourself as a voter, of the polling area where you live, you become eligible to vote. If you are an NRI, you still have voting rights as long as you have not acquired citizenship of any other country.
Question: How do I register for a Voter’s ID card both offline and online?
Answer: For offline registration, visit the state election office and request for a Form 6. Fill in all the required details and submit the form along with all supporting documents. You will be issued the photo election identity card on a later date.
For online registration, visit the National Voters’ Services Portal at www.nvsp.in.
Question: How do I identify my polling booth?
Answer: You need to log on to https://electoralsearch.in/ and fill in your basic details, such as name, gender, and constituency. Once you click on submit, all your voter information such as card number, booth name, polling station, and so on will be displayed on the screen. You can also get the information in a printable format.
Question: What is the voting process at the polling booth?
Answer: When you reach the polling booth, the first polling booth officer will confirm your name on the voter’s list and check your ID proof. The second polling booth officer will then ink your fingernail, give you a slip, and take your signature on a register (Form 17A). You will have to give the slip to the third polling booth officer and show your inked fingernail before proceeding to the polling booth. You can then record your vote by pressing the ballot button against the symbol of your preferred candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). You will hear a beep sound that confirms your vote.
For more information, please refer to the Voters Guide at http://ecisveep.nic.in/.
Question: Why can’t I find my name in the electoral roll?
Answer: Contact the nearest Election Commission of India office or visit the National Voters’ Services Portal at www.nvsp.in.
Question: What if I don’t have a Voter’s ID? Can I use any other recognized ID?
Answer: Apart from your Voter’s ID, you can show the following government-issued photo IDs to vote:
- Passport
- PAN card
- Driving license
- Aadhaar card
- Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by central or state government-run companies
- Passbooks with photograph issued by a bank or post office
- Smart card issued by the Registrar General of India (RGI) under the National Population Register
- MNREGA job card
- Health insurance smart card issued under a Ministry of Labour scheme
- Pension document with a photograph
- Authenticated photo voter slip issued by the election machinery
- Official identity cards issued to lawmakers or legislators
Question: What is NOTA?
Answer: NOTA or ‘None Of The Above’ is the last button on the EVM. As a voter, you can exercise this option to reject all candidates in your constituency.
Question: What are EVMs and VVPATs?
Answer: EVMs or Electronic Voting Machines are electronic devices that record votes. They are divided into control units and balloting units.
VVPATs or Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails are electronic machines that allow voters to verify the accuracy of the votes. They print receipts that show the candidate details such as name and symbol.
Question: Where can I find the list of contesting candidates?
Answer: To see the list of candidates, visit the Candidate Affidavit Portal or download the Voter Helpline App.
Question: Am I allowed to vote even if I keep changing my constituency?
Answer: Yes. You can change your constituency as and when you change your residence. Moreover, you can also go back to your home constituency and vote.
Question: Can I vote from a different constituency? What if I shift my residence within the same constituency?
Answer: Yes, you can vote from different constituencies. If you are a registered voter, you can vote from any constituency in the country. To change your address, though not necessary:
- You need to submit Form 8A. if you are moving your residence within the same constituency
- You need to submit Form 6, if you are currently residing in a different constituency
You can find both these forms at www.nvsp.in. Fill up the form as relevant and submit it along with necessary documents and application fee of Rs. 25 to the nearest ECI office of your new residence. Your new Voter’s ID will have the changed addressed but the Voter’s ID or EPIC (Electors Photo Identify Card) number will be the same.
Question: What proof of address is acceptable if I am a student or a working professional not staying in my hometown?
Answer: Here is a list of address proofs for working professionals:
- Any post, letter, or mail delivered to you, in your residence, through the Indian Postal Service
- Latest utility bill such as electricity, water, gas bill, or telephone bill that either bears your name or of an immediate relation like parents
- Latest rent agreement
- Income Tax Assessment Order
If you are a student living in a government hostel, you could get a Bonafide typed certificate from your hostel manager. This document states that you are a hostel residence, which can then be used as a valid proof for updating your Bank’s passbook address. You can then use your passbook as your current residence proof.
Share a picture of your fingernail on stories or posts, as proof of vote and tag us @amrutamofficial to get a special discount coupon. Let’s #VoteWithAmrutam.
