Voter Helpline: A Useful App to Keep Track of Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a mobile application to help voters. The application is named ‘Voter Helpline’ and is availableon both Google Play and App Store. The application is launched with a view of providing a common platform for voters across the country. The Voter Helplineprovides the following facilities:

1) Electoral Search

The Voter Helpline mobile application has a facility which allows you to search your name in the electoral roll of your constituency. Open the Voter Helpline app and click on ‘Search Your Name in Electoral Roll’.

You can find your name in the electoral roll in the following two ways:

i) Search by name and other details:

• Enter your name
• Enter your father’s or husband’s name
• Enter your age
• Select your gender
• Select your state
• Select your district
• Select your constituency and click on ‘search’
• Your EPIC Number, Part Number and details of the Polling Station would be displayed

ii) Search by EPIC Number

• Enter your EPIC number mentioned on the Voter ID and click on ‘search’
• Details of your polling station would be displayed

2) Online forms

The following forms are available on Voter Helpline application:

• Form 6 for a new application for voter registration
• Form 6 for shifting to a different constituency
• Form 7 for deletion or objection of entries in the electoral roll
• Form 8 for correction of entries
• Form 8A for correction of entries & transposition within theassembly

3) Register Complaints related to Electoral Services

Voter Helpline allows general public to lodge complaints. For this, you must verify your phone number. This is because the ECI attends only to authentic complaints and doesn’t entertainfake complaints. You would be sent an OTP on the mobile number you enter. You must validate with the OTP to proceed.

To register a complaint, you must give basic details like your state, district and assembly. Complaints are broadly classified under ‘election period’ and ‘non-election period’.

Under election period, you can register complaints related to E-Roll, Election Expenditure, Other Election Related Issues, EPIC, General, Model Code of Conduct, Photo Voter Slip and Poll Day.

Under non-election period, you can register complaints related to IT application, political parties and websites.

Describe your complaint briefly and upload photos if needed. Verify all details before clicking on ‘submit’. Election Commission of India would take further steps based on your complaint. You would be contacted by the ECI if needed.

4) FAQ on Voter, Elections, EVM, & Results

The Voter Helpline application answers few frequently asked questions on voter, elections, EVM and results. Voters can get all their questions answered here in this section.

Under ‘Elections’ section, you get details of all upcoming and previous elections. The ‘Results’ section, gives you details of all previous LokSabha and VidhanSabha elections. In the ‘EVM’ section, you’ll find information related to Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

5) Service for Voters

Voters are offered the following facilities on the Voter Helpline mobile application:

• Apply for a new Voter ID
• Apply for New Voter ID Card / due to shifting from AC
• Deletion or Objection in electoral roll (Form 7)
• Correction of entries in electoral roll (Form 8)
• Transportation within Assembly (From 8A)
• Application for replacement of Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
• Status of Application
• Lodge Grievance
• Check Status of Grievance
• Download Form 1, Form 2, Form 2A, Form 3, Form 6, Form 6A, Form 7, Form 8, Form 8A, Form 17, Form 18 and Form 29

6) Resources for Voters & Electoral Officers

Election Commission of India offers timely and useful information to voters.

How to Register for Voting

1) General Voters: All Indian citizens residing in the country that have attained the age of 18 yearsare allowed to enroll as General Voters.

2) You can fill Form 6 online by logging on to https://www.nvsp.in/. Copies of requisite documents must be uploaded.

How to check if you are registered to vote?

Log on to https://electoralsearch.in/ to check if you are registered to vote. If your name appears in the list, then you are eligible to vote, if not, you must register by logging on to https://www.nvsp.in/

Requirements for registering to vote

You are eligible to enroll as a Voter if you:

• Are a resident Indian citizen.
• Have attained the age of 18 years.
• Are having a valid address and ID proof.

How to Register Offline

If you are not comfortable in filling online application, then you can submit offline application by following the below mentioned steps:

• Fill two copies of Form 6. Form 6 is available free of cost in offices of Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) / Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO) and Booth Level Officers.
• The application must be attached with copies of the requisite documents. The application can be filed in person before the concerned Electoral Registration Officer / Assistant Electoral Registration Officer orsent by post addressed to ERO/AERO.It can also be handed over to the Booth Level Officer of the respective polling area.
• You can call 1950 for any assistance.