How to apply for Voter ID (EPIC) online — Form 6 guide (2026)

• Indian citizen aged 18+ on 1 January of qualifying year
• Ordinary resident of the constituency (not just registered)
• Not declared of unsound mind by competent court
• Not disqualified under §16 of Representation of People Act 1950

1. Register at voters.eci.gov.in — Sign up with mobile + OTP. One account per voter.
2. Choose “Fresh inclusion / Enrolment of name in electoral roll” — Select Form 6 (NRIs use Form 6A).
3. Fill Form 6 details — Name (as on Aadhaar) + DoB + parent/spouse name + address + Aadhaar (optional but recommended).
4. Upload documents — Age proof + address proof + recent passport-size photo. Aadhaar covers age + address in one document.
5. Submit + receive reference number — Save the reference — used for tracking and for BLO visit.
6. Booth Level Officer (BLO) verification — BLO visits your address within 15 days. Be available; sign their verification form.
7. ERO approval — Electoral Registration Officer approves and EPIC number is generated.
8. Download e-EPIC — voters.eci.gov.in → e-EPIC Download → enter EPIC number / reference. Available immediately on approval.
9. Physical EPIC by post — India Post delivery in 15–30 days post-approval.

• Online portal: ECI Voter Services Portal
• Offline: BLO visit at your home for verification. For special drives, set up booths in panchayats / mohalla committees.
• Fee: Free — no fee at any stage. Beware of agents charging.
• Timeline: ~30 days end-to-end: 15 days BLO verification + 15 days ERO approval + EPIC dispatch. e-EPIC in 24 hours of approval.

See our complete checklist: Documents required for voter id — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.

• BLO not visiting — call your AERO (Assistant ERO) at the CSC; or file complaint via portal.
• Address mismatch — use the same proof for ECI as for Aadhaar; minor mismatches stall verification.
• Duplicate entry detected — happens if you moved without applying Form 8 transfer. Use Form 8 to delete old + add new.
• Application stuck >30 days — file RTI to ERO + DEO citing R.P. Act §22. Use our EPIC RTI generator.

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.

Auto-fill the PIO details + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Or browse state-wise scheme procedures: All state portals + RTI templates

Track your application status: How to check status guide

Yes — Aadhaar linkage is optional (Election Laws Amendment Act 2021). Other ID + address proof suffices.

Within 24 hours of ERO approval. Treated as valid voter ID by all government bodies.

No — use Form 8 for inter-constituency transfer. Same EPIC number retained; address updated.

Yes — register via Form 6A as overseas elector. Must vote in person at Indian polling station (proxy/postal not yet rolled out).

File RTI to ERO + DEO with the BLO's name + date of refused visit. ECI takes BLO complaints seriously.

• How to check status — 25 high-traffic services
• Documents required — 30 checklists
• All state RTI portals
• Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios

• Official portal: https://voters.eci.gov.in
• Citizen feedback collected via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
• Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.