Democracy is government by the people. It is a continual participative operation, not a cataclysmic periodic exercise. The little man, in his multitude, marking his vote at the poll does a social audit of his Parliament plus political choice of this proxy.[i] To participate in this festive event of democracy, as citizens we ought to exercise our right to vote whereby we can elect our representatives who will form the government. One of the most integral components required for the voting process is an Election Identity Card also known as the Voter ID. This submission discusses a few general facets of the Voter ID and also procedurally lays down the ways in which your personal details on the Voter ID can be changed.
Voter Identity Card:
A voter ID card is simply a document which ascertains your identity as an adult citizen (i.e., a citizen above the age of eighteen years) of the country, and is primarily used in casting one’s vote in municipal, state, and general elections. It is issued by the Election Commission, and is also known as Electoral Photo ID Card or EPIC. It can also be used as general identity, address, and age proof for other purposes such as applying passport, booking railway or air tickets etc.
The voter ID consists of the following details:
- A unique Serial number
- Photograph of the cardholder
- A hologram containing respective state/national symbol
- Name of card holder
- Father’s Name of card holder
- Gender
- Card holder’s date of Birth
- The card holder’s residential address and signature of the issuing authority (Electoral registration officer) are on the rear side of the voter ID card.
These are details that may be subject to changes, especially when it comes to the address and the name. Hence it is important to know the process by which one can correct the details.
Procedure to make changes in the Voter ID
There are two methods by which one can make changes in the Voter ID. They are –
1. Offline Method
2. Online Method
Offline Method
If you want to submit your application offline, you can download the Form 8 from the ECI’s official website, fill in the details and submit it to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of your parliamentary constituency. After verification, the ERO will make the necessary changes.
Online Method[ii]
Step 1 – Visit the official website dedicated to providing services to voters, the National Voters Services Portal (http://www.nvsp.in)
Step 2 – Navigate to the section titled “Correction of entries in electoral roll” and click on it.
Step 3 – A new page opens up. Click on “Form 8” in the page.
Step 4 – This will direct you to the actual page wherein you can request for voter card correction.
Step 5 – Enter all the required details in the form
Note: If you have a voter ID card which has been issued, provide details like the card number, the date when it was issued, the state where it was issued, and the constituency it was issued for.
Step 6 – Once these details are entered you will have to upload documents which support them. These include your latest photograph, a valid ID and address proof.
Step 7 – Next, choose the details which need to be corrected/changed.
You will have to click on the relevant tab in order to ensure that the procedure changes only what you want. If there are multiple changes, ensure that all the required changes are entered appropriately.
Step 8 – Enter other details like place and date of making request and also provide the contact information.
Step 9 – Verify the information provided by you and click the “Submit” tab.
Step 10– The ECI will verify the information and incorporate the relevant changes if all information is accurate.
Conclusion:
The Voter ID Card which serves as an important identification document has to be up-to-date. Hence, it is suggested that changes, if any, be incorporated at the earliest. The online method is prompt and serves as an easy tool for such changes to be made.
Edited by Pragash Boopal
Approved & Published – Sakshi Raje
Reference
[i] Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner, AIR 1978 SC 851.
[ii] https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/how-to-change-name-on-voter-id-card-lok-sabha-elections-2019-1496563-2019-04-08
