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"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."
Abhraham Lincoln
Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. Its the fundamental action that affirms the fact that every citizen in our beautiful nation is equal and capable of deciding its future. The electoral power is bestowed upon each citizen with the belief that they will honor this civic sacrament. There will always be people around you exhibiting apathy towards the voting system. Now, imagine if all of us began to think like that, no one would be showing up to the polling booths and that would be the greatest disservice to a country, which after two hundred years of colonial oppression and fighting tooth and nail was able to assert its sovereignty and declare itself an independent democracy. India is the world's largest democracy. Let honor the weight this statement carries and remember that each vote counts.
But to be eligible to vote, you must register. Here's a comprehensive and easy guide outlining the online registration process to become a voter in India:
Step 1: Before proceeding with the registration process, take a moment to ensure that you are a citizen of India and are 18 years or above as of January 1st of the year of the electoral roll revision. Visit the Voters Service Portal and fill in the requested details to check if you are registered as a voter. This simple step is crucial in ensuring your participation in the upcoming elections. You will see a tab with your personal information and voting details if you are already registered. If not, you will see a page with no results. This is your cue to register.
Step 2: Visit the Home Page of the Voters Service Portal, where several forms are available, each with a different purpose.
Step 3: Fill out Form 6 to include your name in the electoral roll. Provide accurate personal details such as name, address, date of birth, and identification proof. You must upload supporting documents such as age proof, address proof, birth certificate and a recent passport-sized photograph. Ensure that the documents are clear and legible. If you are a citizen of India living overseas, please fill out form 6A. if you want to make corrections in your existing voter card such as shifting of residence etc., select Form 8.
Step 4: After filling in the required information and uploading the necessary documents, submit the form electronically through the portal. Once the application is submitted, it undergoes verification by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to ensure its authenticity.
Step 5: Upon successful verification, your name will be included in the electoral roll, and you will receive an SMS and an Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), commonly known as a voter ID card, that can be downloaded from the portal. This card serves as proof of your voter registration and enables you to cast your vote during the elections.
However, even in the age of Digital India, several households throughout the country do not have internet access. So here's the offline method of registering to vote.
You will need to visit your nearest Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) office. Then you'd have to fill up either Form 6 or Form 8, provide the necessary information, and attach self-attested documents as stipulated. The application must be then submitted to the concerned officer for further processing.
On the particular D-day for your respective constituency, ensure you reach the polling station within the designated voting hours, along with valid identification documents and your voter ID card. You can use alternative documents like a passport, driving license, Aadhaar card, or any other government-issued photo ID, as long as you are registered as a voter. Follow the instructions of the polling officials and wait for your turn to cast your vote. Make sure that the EVM machines haven't been tampered with and that you can cast your vote with no supervision and without anyone trying to influence your voting decision.
The right to vote is like a guardian angel upholding the beautiful Athenian dream of democracy. Its what separates us from anarchy. So, this election, remember to vote wisely. By adhering to voting rules and guidelines, you can contribute to the integrity and success of the electoral process in India. It's not just your future but the future of the next generation and that of our majestic country as a whole that lies at your fingertips.
