Virendra's Blog

I have been trying since past many months to get my election photo id card (EPIC). After filling a series of forms, I could get my name added in the electoral rolls of New Delhi. That was in 2008. Since then, I have voted in two elections but unfortunately, have not not received my id card yet. After spending many hours on net trying to figure out what to do and whom to approach and then many more hours on phones and offices of many VIP people (after realising that in our country online means standing in lines).
Here is two cent worth of my experience for all those who are on same boat.
a) Check if your name is in electoral rolls. Visit the Chief Election Commissioner site for your respective state. Search on the electoral rolls by providing your name and father/husband name. The Delhi site is good (http://ceodelhi.nic.in). It helps if you know which constituency you belong to – both during search and when you go for voting (http://ceodelhi.nic.in/Erolls1/Pdf/index.htm — Remember this link keeps updating with time and with newer updates on list. Point is to search on the CEC site). Keep in mind if you have not applied, chances are you are not there in list either.
b) Your name is not there – hard luck. I had to submit the forms thrice before I could see mine and family name in it. Fill up form 6 and add identity proof, address proof, photograph and submit it to Electoral Office of your district. Where is that office? – Search the site for Chief Election Commisioner site for your respective state. People in Delhi can get the address and telephone numbers (yes, they do pick up your calls) of the Voter Registration Center (VREC) from this location – http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/b55ac3804476d3999f89df9db24f582d/bat.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
c) Your name is there ins list with some wrong details. Fill up form 8 with same documents and submit it again. Then wait for next revision of rolls. In some states like Delhi – it happens quite regularly. In others, you can only pray. But most likely, before each election at least one revision would be done.
c) Your name is already in there – Great work sir. Half the battle is won. Now to second part – getting voter id card. If your name is in list, but has no voter id card number assigned against it – your voter id card is yet to be generated. Get form 001C, fill it and with documents submit it. Otherwise, just go to Electoral office with your details (details like your position in electoral roll, name, father name, address etc. Much better if you can take the print out of the page of electoral roll where your name is listed.)
d) Your name is there and a voter id card number is also listed there and you have not received it by post or through hand by the Booth level Officer(BLO). Tough luck. This means the Indian bureaucracy has lost your id card. Please don’t panic and no use fighting with people sitting behind the counter. Just go with the details to electoral office, fill up form 002 with a copy of identity proof, pay Rs. 25 (for a duplicate card) and get a receipt. On receipt would be mentioned the date when you can go and collect the card. Don’t worry about word duplicate – it is not mentioned on the card. It is just that the babus are making sure not to take any blame on themselves. It is same card which we should have got through post but never got.

BTW I have visited the Electoral Offices of Delhi Cantt, Dwarka and Matiala constituencies and I must say the people there are working hard although with limited capabilities. The offices stay open on all days (except Wednesday but including weekends) from 10Am to 1.30PM. Queues are long and idiots are present who love to jump queues and want to argue/fight but with very small work strength offices are being managed pretty decently.

The site hosted by Tata Tea (http://www.jaagore.com/vote/download_data.php) gives you updated forms and loads of information. It actually is time to Jaago.