Voter ID (India)

Physical appearance

Initially, voter IDs were printed with black ink on regular paper and laminated. Starting in 2015, the Indian government started rolling out a less perishable PVC colour version, compliant with the ISO/IEC 7810 size standard 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.

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.

Those of "unsound mind", convicted of "corrupt practices", or offenses related to elections are ineligible to vote.

Applicants have to submit paper Form-6 to their Booth Level officer (BLO) of the area.

Applicants can also apply online on the website of the chief electoral officer given for that State or can directly apply to the website named Voters' Service Portal.

Voter ID Cards Now Delivered in 15 Days: Fast-Track System Launched by Election Commission

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).

References

References

1. (2016-11-18). "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".
2. (2019-09-30). "Simple steps to link mobile number with voter id".
3. (2021-08-15). "Planning to get a new SIM card in India? Here's how you can do it. Bali Sim Card".
4. "Indian Passengers".
5. "Election Commission of India". Eci.nic.in.
6. "New hard plastic voter identity card on the anvil". The Hindu Group of Companies.
7. "e-Tender Notice for engaging reputed service provider firm/company/agency for printing and supply of personalized PVC EPIC Cards". Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi.
8. (2024-02-16). "How To Check Voter ID Status Card By EPIC Number Best 2024".
9. "Epic Card". Bangaloreone.gov.in.
10. (2011-07-16). "Apply online, get your voter ID in a month - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
11. [http://eci.nic.in/archive/handbook/CANDIDATES/cap3/cap3_1.htm APPENDIX III (CHAPTER 1, PARA 5.1) EXTRACT FROM CONSTITUTION OF INDIA] {{Webarchive. link. (8 December 2017)
12. "Booth Level Officer; A Representative of Election Commission at the Grass-Root Level".
13. (28 December 2014). "A Step By Step Procedure To Apply For Voter ID Card".
14. "Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala". Ceo.kerala.gov.in.
15. "Voters' Service Portal".
16. Prashanth V. (June 19, 2025). "Voter ID Cards Now Delivered in 15 Days: Fast-Track System Launched by Election Commission".
17. "Fake voter ID card for just Rs 200 - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
18. "ACP to face trial in fake voter ID case as court rejects plea - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
19. (2011-08-21). "Fake voter ID card racket busted". The Hindu.