Elections

To register as first-time voters, you need to fill out the Form 6 online on the National Voters' Service Portal or visit the Electoral Registration Officer in your constituency. You will need to provide proof of identity and residence. Once approved, your name will be added to the electoral roll.

You need to be a citizen of India and over 18 years of age to be eligible to vote. Once your name is added in the electoral roll, you need to visit your polling booth, show your voter ID card, and cast your vote on the day of election.

You can check your name online on the electoral roll (voter list) by visiting the National Voter Service Portal ( https://electoralsearch.in/ ) or the electoral office in your constituency.

Yes, you can vote without a voter ID but other valid ID proof such as a passport, driver's licence, service identity cards with photographs for employees of Central and State governments, PSUs and Public Limited Companies, passbooks with photographs issued by banks or post offices, PAN card, smart card issued by RGI under NPR, MGNREGA job card, health insurance smart card issued under schemes of the Ministry of Labour, pension document with photograph, official identity cards for MPs, MLAs and MLCs and Aadhaar card. However, it is always advisable to carry your Voter ID card on election day to avoid any inconvenience.

You can download your voter card online from the National Voters' Service Portal and select the 'E-EPIC Download' option. Enter your 10-digit EPIC number (printed on the voter ID) and download your voter ID online.

Do's:

• Carry your voter ID card or any other accepted ID proof with you to the polling booth.
• Verify your name on the voter list before casting your vote.
• Understand the voting process and follow the instructions given by the polling officials.
• Cast your vote for the candidate of your choice in a free and fair manner.
• Maintain decorum inside the polling booth and respect the election officials.
• Report any suspicious or illegal activities to the election officials.

Don'ts:

• Do not indulge in any kind of violence or disruptive behavior at the polling booth.
• Do not carry any kind of weapons, inflammable substances, or electronic devices inside the polling booth.
• Do not try to influence or bribe any other voter or election official.
• Do not reveal your vote to anyone, as it is a violation of the secrecy of the ballot.
• Do not create any kind of disturbance or hindrance in the voting process.
• Do not vote more than once, as it is a punishable offense.
• Do not deface or damage any election material or equipment.

Visit the National Voters' Service Portal and select the 'Know Your Constituency Details' option and enter your 10-digit EPIC number. You can also find the designated polling booth by checking your voter ID card or visiting the website of the Chief Electoral Officer of your state.

While linking Aadhaar card with Voter ID is only voluntary, it can help eliminate duplicate voter IDs and ensure better accuracy in electoral rolls. However, it is not mandatory for the individual to link their Aadhaar card to their voter ID.

You can file a complaint by contacting the ERO of your constituency or by using the Voter Helpline app or the National Grievance Services portal.

NOTA (None of the Above) is an option given to voters who do not wish to vote for any of the candidates contesting in their constituency.

No, you are not allowed to wear any political symbols or clothing to the polling booth.

If you accidentally press the wrong button on the EVM, you can ask the polling officer to reset the machine and allow you to vote again.

No, you are not allowed to take a sample ballot paper with you to the voting compartment.

Yes, NRIs can vote but they must be registered as overseas voters.

The process for registering as an overseas voter involves applying to the Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency where the individual was last a resident.

To link your Aadhaar card to your voter ID, visit the National Voter Service Portal website and select the "Link Aadhaar" option. Enter your voter ID number, Aadhaar number, and other required details. Click on "Submit" to complete the linking process.

Only senior citizens above 80 years of age, persons with disability flagged in the electoral roll and COVID-19 suspected or affected people can avail the postal ballot option.

If someone has already voted under your name, immediately let the Presiding Officer know about it. In this case, you will be allowed to cast a tendered vote. You can vote in the Tendered Ballot Paper and this will be submitted to the Presiding Officer. In this case, you will not be allowed to vote on the Electronic Voting Machine.

Yes, you can vote physically at the polling station at the last hour of the election day, following all COVID-19 guidelines and COVID appropriate behaviour. You can also avail the postal ballot facility to cast your vote if you are COVID-19 positive and under quarantine.

Persons with Disability can avail the postal voting facility offered by the Election Commission of India. If you opt for postal ballot as a Person with Disability, then your application for the postal ballot (Form 12D) should be accompanied by a copy of benchmark disability certificate specified by the concerned Government, under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Also, provision for ramps, drinking water, proper signage, proper lighting, helpdesk, toilets and other such basic facilities are among the Election Commission's Assured Minimum Facilities.

You can use the cVIGIL mobile application to capture an image or a video of the malpractice that you witnessed, and the Election Commission assures of a reply specifying the action taken within 100 minutes. Users can also report anonymously using the app.

Proxy voting facility can be availed by service voters having service qualification. Service voters are those who are members of the armed forces, Government employees in a post outside the country, members of the armed police force of a State. Service voters can appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf. The proxy should be an ordinary resident of the constituency in which the service voter is registered.