How To Apply For A Duplicate Voter Id Card

Voter ID is an important document that a citizen of India can possess. It is issued to the eligible citizens once they are over the age of 18 years and is valid for their lifetime. Voter ID is issued by the Election Commission of India and is distributed by the Booth Level Officers after due verification of the application and the supporting documents that are submitted along with it. It gives the holder a right to vote in the elections of the country be it national elections, state legislative elections or grass root level elections like local government body elections or district level elections.

Apart from getting the crucial right to vote, voter ID is also considered to be an important document from the perspective of KYC requirements of any bank or any other financial institution. Many banks and financial institutions ask for voter ID as part of identity proof or address proof for their KYC requirements.

Hence, it is of utmost importance to keep the Voter ID safe. However, in the event of loss of the voter ID, the holder can apply for a duplicate voter id. The procedure to apply for a duplicate voter id and the essential or key points to remember for the same are discussed here.

Procedure to apply for Duplicate Voter IDVoter’s ID

As mentioned above, a voter can apply for a duplicate Voter IDvoter’s ID card either via an online application or by visiting the Electoral Office and applying directly there. The prerequisite in each case is to file a FIR as a copy of the same is to be submitted along with other necessary documents. The process of applying for the same in each case is discussed below.

A. Online Procedure

• Download a copy of Form EPIC-002 to request a duplicate voter ID card from the State Chief Electoral Officer’s website. 
• Duly fill in the form and attach all the required documents as mentioned in the form. These documents will include FIR copy, proof of address and proof of identity, etc. 
• Next step is to submit the form to the local electoral office.
• Post submission the applicant will get a reference number. 
• The applicant can track the status of the application on the state election office website via the reference number provided earlier.
• Upon submission of the form, it will be processed and verified by the electoral office. 
• Once the verification process is successfully completed, the applicant will be notified to collect the duplicate voter ID card.

B. Offline Procedure

• File an FIR with the police informing them of the loss of the voter card.
• Keep the copy of the FIR handy.
• Visit the nearest Local Election Office.
• Get the Form EPIC-002 (for the issuance of duplicate voter ID card)
• Correctly fill up the form with all the relevant details.
• Attach the copy of the FIR.
• Attach documents that provide proof of identity like a copy of your passport, driving license, pan card, or ration card, etc.
• Attach documents certifying address proof like copy of your gas bill, electricity bill, telephone bill, passport, etc.
• After submission of all the documents and the application, the applicant will receive a reference number which can be used for tracking the status of the application.
• After successful verification of the application and the authenticity of the documents, the Electoral officer will issue a duplicate Voter IDvoter’s id to the applicant.
• The applicant will be notified of the issuance of the duplicate voter’s card and he/she can collect the same personally from that Electoral office

Reasons for Applying a Duplicate Voter ID

The applicants can apply for a duplicate voter ID in the event of loss of the original one. The duplicate voter ID issued by the ECI is also considered to be a valid one and can be used to cast one’s vote as well as a KYC document. The very common reasons for applying a duplicate Voter ID can be,

• Loss of Voter ID due to theft of the card
• If the card is damaged due to wear and tear and cannot give true information about the holder or if the photo on the card is not clearly seen anymore.
• If the card has been simply misplaced cannot be traced.

In such cases, the holder can apply for a duplicate Voter ID either by online application or through offline mode which is by visiting the nearest electoral office.

Documents Required for Duplicate Voter ID

The list of documents that will be required for applying a duplicate Voter ID is given below.

• Duly filled Application Form No EPIC-002
• FRI
• Proof of address
• Proof of identity
• Passport size photographs

FAQs