What is the full form of EPIC

EPIC: Election Photo Identification Card

EPIC stands for election photo identification card, also known as voter ID card, election card, or voter's card, and is defined as an identity provided to Indian adults by the Election Commission of India.

It is given to all those citizens who become eligible to vote, i.e. citizens who have reached the age of 18 years. It serves as Proof of identification when casting a vote in elections. It is generally used for identification, displaying a person's photograph, address, and age, as well as consisting of a written signature from an electoral registration officer. It is a Polyvinyl chloride colour version, similar to an ATM card.

It can also be used as identity proof when getting a new SIM card or applying for a visa. A copy of the ID is generated for each voter eligible in the list. Voters must carry this card when they attend the elections so no one else can cast their vote. Voter ID serves as identification for voters, improves voting efficiency, and guards against fraud during fair and democratic elections. It is also used by people to avail some specific beneficial government schemes.

Format of Voter ID Card

The voter ID contains the following information:

• Name of the Cardholder
• A distinctive serial number
• A picture of the cardholder
• An image of the relevant state or country's symbol
• Cardholder Father name
• Gender
• Date of Birth of Cardholder
• The back of the voter ID card contains the cardholder's residential address and the signature of the electoral registration officer who provided the document.

Eligibility for Election Photo Identification Card (Voter ID Card)

Some of the basic requirements are listed to be eligible for a Voter ID card:

• An Indian citizen
• Age to be 18 years or older
• Valid Proof of permanent address

Voter ID Card Documentation

When applying for a Voters ID, the applicant must submit the following documents:

• Identity proof (maybe an Aadhaar card/PAN card)
• Address proof
• Photograph

Procedure to apply for application through different modes

Online Application Procedure:

• Online applicants should visit the national voter service portal
• To register a new voter id, select the appropriate option.
• Applicant should fill in all the details in Form 6 and submit it.
• In addition, the applicant must upload a photo and related documents for the further process.

Offline Application Procedure:

• For the offline process, applicants are suggested to visit the nearby State Election Office and request for From No.6
• Applicants should fill in all the details asked in Form No. 6 and provide all the documents.
• A Voter ID card will be issued once the form is verified.

Semi-Online Application Procedure:

• Semi-Online Applicants should first visit the website of the National Voter Service Portal.
• Fill out form 6 with the data needed.
• Submit the complete form 6, along with a photo and supporting documents, to the Election Office nearby or mail them.

Procedure to change from Old to New Voter ID

The Government of India has initiated this new concept of e-PIC Voter ID, a portable form of photo identity card available in PDF form. The e-PIC is currently only issued to newly registered candidates, i.e. those who have applied for Voter ID post-November 2020 and have a unique mobile number. They can access their e-PIC by following some essential steps:

Step 1: Applicants have to Log in to the National Voters Service Portal

Step 2: Select the "e-PIC Download" title popping up.

Step 3: Enter the EPIC number provided or the Form Reference number and select the state currently residing.

Step 4: Applicants will receive an OTP on their registered mobile number. Enter the OTP on the screen to proceed.

Step 5: Select the option Download e-PIC to download the portable voter ID.

Procedure for corrections in Voter ID

Applicants who want to make changes or corrections to their existing voter ID information can visit the closest election office or the online national voters' service portal and follow the procedure below.

In some cases where some information is incorrect, applicants are asked to fill out correction Form No. 8 and specify the necessary voter ID corrections after submitting the form to the Electoral Registration Officer or online through the portal.

Post submission, the Electoral Registration Officer will process the application and make the necessary changes to your voter ID.

Who Issues the Electronic Voter ID Card?

On January 25, which is National Voters' Day, the Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced the electronic electoral photo identity card (e-EPIC), a digital voter ID card. Similar to the e-Aadhar, the e-EPIC is also accessible in PDF format, which cannot be modified further. Digital Voter ID cards will be sent out to everyone who applied for them between November 2021 and December 2021. If someone loses their previous voter ID card, they can also download duplicates by paying a price of Rs. 25.

How to Get Voter ID Using Your EPIC Number

The processes to download a voter identification card using an EPIC number are as follows:

• Visit voterportal.eci.gov.in, the website of the Election Commission of India.
• Make a profile
• Use the "Download e-EPIC" option on the webpage.
• Either type in your e-EPIC or Form 16 number.
• Fill out the OTP that was sent to your registered phone number.
• To finish the procedure, select "Download EPIC Online."
• You must finish the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure before downloading the voter ID card if the phone number shown on your card is changed.

Note:

• You may check for your e-EPIC number at voterportal.eci.gov.in if you've lost it.
• The mobile voter app allows you to create your digital voter ID card.
• Follow the app's instructions after downloading it from the app store.

Online tracking of voter ID application status

The following describes the step-by-step process for checking the status of your voter ID application online:

• Go to nvsp.in.
• Next, select "Track Application Status."
• After entering the Reference ID, select "Track Status."
• The information will appear on the next page.

What should you do if your voter ID card is not received?

It is advised to visit the DEO with your reference number if the voter id verification procedure is taking some time and you haven't gotten the card after applying.

How can I check my voter ID?

Anyone can check the information on the Electoral Roll to confirm their voter identification. You may go to the National Voters Services Portal's official website and select "Search in Electoral Roll." You have two options: either enter varied personal information or use the EPIC Number to verify the electoral roll.

What to do if you don't have a voter ID card?

A person must register as a registered voter in order to cast a vote in India. The user can register for the same physically or online by going to the electoral commission website. The voter does not need a voter ID card if they are already registered to vote. If an individual does not have their voter ID, the following list of papers will be accepted:

• Employees of Central, State, Public Sector Undertakings, and Public Limited Businesses are provided service identity cards with photos.
• Passport
• Driving licence
• PAN card
• Aadhar card
• Bank or post-office-issued passbooks with the photo are available.
• Issued by the Department of Post, Government of India, address card with photo.
• Smart Card that was issued by the Registrar General of India (RGI)
• Pension order with the photo
• MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) Job Card
• Medical Insurance Smart Card, which is given under the Ministry of Labour's programme
• MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and others are granted official identification cards.

Voter ID for NRIs

Indians who are non-residents are also eligible to vote. If they are present in the nation and in their constituency when elections are conducted, they are eligible to vote. They can submit an application for the voter ID either online or offline.