A key reason why a large number of voters are not able to vote in elections is that they reside at an address different from the one where there Voter ID Card is registered. Many of us think that Voter ID Address Change or transferring your Voter ID card from one constituency to another constituency is a tedious process. Lack of knowledge of Ward officers make it even more complicated as they make you run around giving incorrect directions. Truth is that Voter ID Card Address Change is a very simple process and can be accomplished easily through an online application (Form 6).
You can apply for Voter ID address change online (takes around 10 minutes) and get your Voter ID transferred to your current constituency easily without visiting any office. In this article, I am covering the complete process of changing your Voter ID Card address or transferring your vote from one constituency to another constituency.
My Experience with Ward Office
One of the main reason that dissuades most people to transfer their vote is a thinking that it is a complicated process and would require multiple visits to local offices. I had the same experience both with Ward Office and BBMP Office.
Bad Experience with Ward Office – With all my documents (address proof, identify proof, voter id card registered at old address), I went to Ward Office. Person over there straight-way told that you have to get your voter id card cancelled from old constituency, get a cancellation letter and then reapply in this constituency. This was contrary to what I had read online and even tried to reason with the Ward official but he stopped responding to me. Even if I would have wanted to follow above process, I could not as my voter id is registered in my home town in Uttar Pradesh.
Incorrect Information at BBMP Office – Next I headed to BBMP Office and there, I was provided an incorrect information that first you need to get your address changed in Aadhar Card to local address and only then you can get your Voter ID transferred. I immediately applied for an address change in Aadhar card then and there using my Gas Bill. But again, this was an incorrect information as this is not required at all (I learnt it when I checked Election Commission website later).
A bit frustrated, I decided to check Election Commission website of India website ( https://eci.gov.in/ & https://www.nvsp.in/ ) and to my surprise, found a simple online application process for my Voter ID address change to current constituency.
Online Process for Voter ID address change
Below is step by step guide for Voter ID Address change process online. Please note that Election Commission puts a cut off date for any changes prior to any major election, so please ensure to apply for address change/constituency change well ahead of time.
- Visit National Voter Service Portal (NVSP) – Election Commission has a dedicated website to support all requests with respect to voter registration – https://www.nvsp.in
- Click on Form 6 – You will find a tab for Form 6 right on Main Page of the portal that you have to fill either to apply online for registration of new voter or Voter ID address change/ shifting from one constituency to another.
3. Fill up and submit Form 6 – As you will click Form 6 tab, it will direct you to an online form ( https://www.nvsp.in/Forms/Forms/form6?lang=en-GB ). It is a simple form requiring your basic details and can easily be filled up in 10 minutes. At times, form does not load easily, so please refresh few times.
4. Documents required for Form 6: While filling up Form 6, you will require to upload following documents. Please keep these handy –
- Photograph – Your recent photograph
- Age Proof – Scanned copy of any of these documents – i) Birth certificate ii) Mark sheet of Class 10 or 8 or 5 iii) Indian Passport iv) Pan Card v) Driving License of vi) Aadhar Card
- Address Proof – Scanned copy of any of these documents – i) Indian Passport ii) Driving License iii) Bank/Kisan/Post Office Current Passbook iv) Ration Card v) Income Tax Assessment Order vi) Rent Agreement vii) Telephone Bill viii) Gas Connection Bill ix) Water Bill x) Electricity Bill xi) Post/Letter/Mail Delivered through Indian Poastal Department.
You may note that it is not difficult to get an address proof . You can easily use a letter delivered by India Post at current address for your address proof.
Status update of your Vote ID Address Change Application
Once you submit your Form 6 online, you can easily track the status of your application form online.
Also, I received a message on my phone number for my application submission –
Above application status changed to a complete acceptance with respective dates on which each step was completed.
Inclusion in Voter list at New address/ New constituency
Election Commission runs a voter list update for each constituency prior to next election and thus it may take some time for your name to reflect in voter list for new constituency. You may search your name and constituency at this link – https://electoralsearch.in/ . You have option to search either by providing your basic details or by providing your Voter ID card number, also called as EPIC number.
Once my name was included in voter list, I again received a confirmation over SMS –
To be doubly sure of my inclusion in voter list, I also downloaded Voter List for my ward from Election Commission website ( Link here –
https://eci.gov.in/electoral-roll/link-to-pdf-e-roll/ ) and I found my details duly captured in the final list.
Experience on Election Day
It turned out to be quite smooth experience on the Election Day as I walked up to my voting booth, just 50 meters away from my place. Workers from different parties sitting outside helped me with a slip capturing serial number and other details. With this slip, I walked to the polling booth. Polling booth officer patiently explained me how to cast my vote on Electronic Voting Machine and I walked out within 5 minutes casting my vote.
It turned out to be a smooth and simple experience to transfer my vote from previous constituency to current constituency. Pledging to vote every time now onwards and also encouraging all readers to get their vote transferred and participate in all upcoming elections.
Please drop your comments below if you need any further assistance. Though I am not an expert but will try my best to guide you basis my experience.
Do we get an updated voter card to the new address?
Hi Kane
For casting your vote, you do not need Physical copy of Voter Card. You only need your name in Voter Roll for your ward. You can walk to Voting booth with any Government ID and cast your vote. So when you get your address changed, you do not automatically get a new voter ID card. In case you need a physical Voter ID card, you can also request for the same online by filling Form 001. You have the option to receive your Voter ID card through post at your doorstep. Here is the link for Form 0001 – Click here.
For me, I have casted my vote with old Voter ID card only (with old constituency address). Booth Officials only checked my name in Roll and used Voter Id only to establish my identity.
What is time taken for Constituency transfer after submission.
Hi Raghupathi, it depends on application approval from respective constituency officials. I have followed this process twice and max it took was 1 month for Karnataka and 2 weeks for Uttarakhand.