This year, thousands of Bengalureans could not vote in the Lok Sabha election since their names went missing from the electoral rolls mysteriously. Among them were people who had voted in the assembly elections just last year. Thousands of applications for new enrolment also lay unprocessed for months before the election, which prevented many others from voting.

Those who couldn’t vote took to social media to voice their anger, and some even went to the High Court. The problem of voters missing from electoral rolls was reported from other cities too.

From September 1st to October 15th, Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a nationwide Electors Verification Programme (EVP) to update the rolls and correct errors. Over this period, you can verify and update your details, or enrol as new voter. The draft rolls after verification will be published in January 2020.

Documents required for verification

For inclusion, deletion, verification and correction of details in the electoral roll, one of these documents is required:

• Indian passport
• Driving license
• Aadhaar card
• Ration card
• Identity card for government/semi-government officials
• Bank pass book
• Farmer’s identity card
• Any other document approved by the ECI

How to verify your details online?

You can check your details at:

• National Voter’s Service Portal (NVSP)
• Voter Helpline Mobile Application: Android / iOS
• Voter Helpline number 1950

Services available at online portals

• Verifying and correcting your existing details
• Furnishing details of family members and verifying their entries 
• Updating details of family members already enrolled as voters, but permanently shifted or expired
• Furnishing details of eligible un-enrolled family members (born on or before 1st January, 2001) and of prospective electors (born between 2nd January, 2002 and 1st January, 2003) who reside with you
• Furnishing GIS Coordinates of your house through mobile app, to avail better electoral services
• Giving feedback on existing polling stations, and suggestions on alternate polling stations if any

Step-by-step guide to these processes.

If you want to enrol as a new voter, here is a more detailed guide.

According to the ECI, one-time authentication of details and sharing of contact details would help electors  get updates on the status of their voter ID card, election day announcements, voter slip etc on their registered email and mobile number. Regular notifications on polling stations, change in BLO/ERO etc will also be shared with electors.

Physical verification of details

To verify details physically, you may visit the following centres, as mentioned on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka:

• Common Services Centres (CSC) in Bengaluru
• Voter Facilitation Centre at ERO office
• Bangalore One Centres
• Karnataka One Centres
• Atal Jana Snehi Kendra
• Booth Level Officer

Each Common Services Centre (CSC) will charge a nominal fee of around Rs 1 for uploading a document, and Rs 2 for uploading a photo. Rs 1 will be charged for submitting forms like Form 6 too. However, the fee displayed at each CSC may vary slightly.