voter ID (India)
{{Short description|Indian identity document}}
{{use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{Politics of India}}
{{Infobox identity document
| document_name =
| image =File:New type Voter ID.jpg
| image_size =
| image_width =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =New Digital PVC Voter ID or EPIC Card
| image2 =File:An Indian holding a Voter Identity Card, photo taken by Yogabrata Chakraborty, on July 9, 2023.jpg
| image2_size =
| image_width2 =
| image2_alt =
| image_caption2 =
An paper Laminated Indian Voter Identity Card
| date_first_issued ={{start date and age|1993|df=y|p=y}}
| in_circulation =
| using_jurisdiction =Election Commission of India
| valid_jurisdictions = India
| document_type =Election Identification proof
| purpose ={{plainlist|
}}
| eligibility =should be 18 years old
| expiration =Lifetime
| cost = free
| rights =
| size =
| website ={{URL|www.eci.gov.in/}}
}}
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 adults domiciles of India who have reached the age of 18. It primarily serves as an identity proof for Indian citizens while casting their ballot in the country's municipal, state, and national elections.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-18 |title=List of acceptable Documents as Proof of Identity and Proof of Address from General Public in the Country except in J&K, North East and Assam Service Areas |url=http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/2016_11_18%20POIA-AS-II.pdf?download=1 |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=dot.gov.in}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-30 |title=Simple steps to link mobile number with voter id |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/simple-steps-link-mobile-number-voter-id-1604772-2019-09-30 |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-15 |title=Planning to get a new SIM card in India? Here's how you can do it. Bali Sim Card |url=https://simsdirect.com.au/collections/bali |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=BSdirect}} It also serves as a Travel Document to travel to Nepal and Bhutan by Land or Air{{Cite web |title=Indian Passengers |url=https://boi.gov.in/content/indian-passengers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625091831/https://boi.gov.in/content/indian-passengers |archive-date=2014-06-25 |website=boi.gov.in}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci/eci.html |title=Election Commission of India |publisher=Eci.nic.in |access-date=2015-02-26}}
Physical appearance
Initially, voter IDs were printed with black ink on regular paper and laminated. Starting in 2015,{{cite web |last1=New Delhi |first1=PTI |title=New hard plastic voter identity card on the anvil |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/new-hard-plastic-voter-identity-card-on-the-anvil/article23122786.ece |website=The Hindu Business Line |publisher=The Hindu Group of Companies |access-date=23 April 2019 |ref=23122786}} the Indian government started rolling out a less perishable PVC colour version, compliant with the ISO/IEC 7810 size standard{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=B.K. |title=e-Tender Notice for engaging reputed service provider firm/company/agency for printing and supply of personalized PVC EPIC Cards |url=http://ceodelhi.gov.in/WriteReadData/News/Documents/201512140615278977747PVC_TENDER.pdf |access-date=23 April 2019 |website=ceodelhi.gov.in |publisher=Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi |ref=CEO/P&I/796/2014-15/5}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-16 |title=How To Check Voter ID Status Card By EPIC Number Best 2024 |url=https://fixquery.com/how-to-check-voter-id-status-card-by-epic-number/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |language=en-US}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bangaloreone.gov.in/public/epic.aspx |title=Epic Card |publisher=Bangaloreone.gov.in |access-date=2015-02-26 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227004144/https://www.bangaloreone.gov.in/public/epic.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Apply-online-get-your-voter-ID-in-a-month/articleshow/9251884.cms |title=Apply online, get your voter ID in a month - The Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2015-02-26}}
Those of "unsound mind", convicted of "corrupt practices", or offenses related to elections are ineligible to vote.[http://eci.nic.in/archive/handbook/CANDIDATES/cap3/cap3_1.htm APPENDIX III (CHAPTER 1, PARA 5.1) EXTRACT FROM CONSTITUTION OF INDIA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208071629/http://eci.nic.in/archive/handbook/CANDIDATES/cap3/cap3_1.htm|date=8 December 2017}}
Applicants have to submit paper Form-6 to their Booth Level officer (BLO) of the area.{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=104541|title=Booth Level Officer; A Representative of Election Commission at the Grass-Root Level|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2019-06-10}}
Applicants can also apply online on the website of the chief electoral officer given for that State{{Cite web|url=http://voteridcard.org.in/2866/step-by-step-procedure-apply-voter-id-card|title=A Step By Step Procedure To Apply For Voter ID Card|date=28 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/ |title=Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala |publisher=Ceo.kerala.gov.in |access-date=2015-02-26}} or can directly apply to the website named Voters' Service Portal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nvsp.in/|title=Voters' Service Portal|website=www.nvsp.in |access-date=2024-02-21}}
Fake voter ID cards have occasionally been used fraudulently for other purposes by dubious parties and individuals to suit their personal needs (such as obtaining a SIM card through impersonation).{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Fake-voter-ID-card-for-just-Rs-200/articleshow/6137030.cms |title=Fake voter ID card for just Rs 200 - The Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=2015-02-26}}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/ACP-to-face-trial-in-fake-voter-ID-case-as-court-rejects-plea/articleshow/30013150.cms |title=ACP to face trial in fake voter ID case as court rejects plea - The Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=2015-02-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/fake-voter-id-card-racket-busted/article2378331.ece |title=Fake voter ID card racket busted |work=The Hindu |date=2011-08-21 |access-date=2015-02-26}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://voters.eci.gov.in/ Voter Service Portal]
{{Indian Identity Documents}}
{{Government Schemes in India}}