How to Vote Lok Sabha Elections 2024
How to Vote Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The upcoming Lok Sabha elections will soon be announced in our country. During these elections, millions of voters will exercise their right to vote nationwide. Thousands of employees and officers will participate in facilitating the election process. Similarly, thousands of candidates will be contesting in these elections.
According to the Constitution of India, only individuals whose names are listed in the electoral roll are eligible to vote. However, there are certain individuals who are not permitted to vote or stand for elections.
Who has the right to vote and How to Vote Lok Sabha elections? Let’s find out the answers to these questions in this article.
Who has the right to vote in India?
The Constitution of India grants this right to all individuals aged 18 or above, provided they are registered in the electoral roll. Only Indian citizens are eligible to vote; non-citizens cannot participate in elections. Additionally, even if you are an Indian citizen, you must be listed in the electoral roll to vote.
Anyone who has been disqualified due to an electoral offense or misdemeanor cannot register or vote. If someone’s name appears on the voter list in multiple places, they are not allowed to vote. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who haven’t acquired citizenship of another country retain their voting rights. However, obtaining citizenship of another country disqualifies them from voting.
Individuals deemed mentally unstable by a court and thus not issued a voter ID card cannot be registered in the electoral roll. Those eligible to vote must do so at the specific polling station designated by the Election Commission; voting at any other location is not permitted.
How to vote Lok Sabha
Here is a simplified explanation of the voting process in India:
- Check Voter List and Bring Valid ID: First, check if your name is on the voter list. Then, go to the polling booth with a valid identity card.
- Verification by Polling Officer: At the polling booth, a polling officer will verify your name on the voter list and check your identity card.
- Ink Mark and Slip: Another polling officer will apply ink to your finger and provide you with a slip. You will also sign a register.
- Hand over Slip: Proceed to the third polling officer, give them the slip, and show the ink mark on your finger.
- Voting on EVM: Next, press the button on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in front of the election symbol of your chosen candidate. You will hear a beep confirming your vote.
- VVPAT Verification: A slip will appear in the VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machine attached to the EVM for 7 seconds. Check the details of your chosen candidate on this slip.
- NOTA Option: If you do not wish to vote for any candidate, you can choose the ‘NOTA’ (None of the Above) option by pressing its button.
This is the step-by-step process to cast your vote during Lok Sabha elections in India.
How to Register Your Name in the Voter List
Here’s a simplified guide on how to register your name in the voter list and correct any information:
- Eligibility: You must be a citizen of India and at least 18 years old as of January 1.
- Residency: You should be a resident of the constituency where you wish to register.
- Form Submission: Obtain Form-6 either from the Booth Level Officer (BLO) or online at https://voters.eci.gov.in/login.
- Online Application: You can fill out Form-6 online through the above website. Follow the detailed instructions provided.
- NRI Registration: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) should use Form-6A for registration.
- Required Information: Provide your Aadhaar number and other necessary details. If you don’t have an Aadhaar card, you can still fill out the form.
- Document Submission: Attach a copy of any document proving your age (birth certificate, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, 10th or 12th certificate, or passport).
- Voter List Correction Camps: Periodically, camps are set up at polling stations for voter list corrections. Visit these camps to apply for registration.
- Contacting Support: For assistance, call 1950.
Read: Loksabha Elections Quiz for Students
If your information is wrong in the voter list, how to correct it?
- Form-8: If there’s a mistake in the electoral roll or you need to update information, fill out Form-8.
- Address Change: Use Form-8 to inform about a change of address.
- Voter ID Card Update: Form-8 can also be used to update your voter ID card details.
- Disability Information: Use Form-8 to provide information about any disability.