On March 16, the Election Commission of India disclosed the whole schedule for the Lok Sabha Elections, Assembly polls for 4 states, and bye-polls for 26 Assembly constituencies (ACs). Earlier, addressing the media, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar revealed that polling could be performed in 7 phases, commencing on April 19 and concluding on June 1. The counting of votes for all polls is scheduled for June 4. The polling for the 4 states and bye-polling for 26 ACs will coincide with the Lok Sabha polling dates, that are set for April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
In addition to the 544 Lok Sabha seats, 4 states – Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Sikkim—will even conduct their state elections concurrently. In India, exercising the correct to vote is paramount for shaping the nation’s future.
Here’s a breakdown of who can take part and what to anticipate:
Eligibility to vote
- Every particular person over 18 years of age is eligible to vote.
- Ensure your identify is listed within the electoral roll, also called the voter record, which you’ll confirm by means of the Electoral Registration Officer of your locality.
- Register your identify for just one parliamentary constituency to keep away from authorized problems.
Required paperwork
To forged your vote seamlessly, you’ll want to current one of many following paperwork as proof of id:
- Voter ID Card (EPIC)
- Aadhar card
- PAN card
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card
- Service id card
- Bank/Post Office passbook with a photograph
- Driving license
- Passport
- Smart code issued by RGI underneath NPR
- Pension doc
- Official playing cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
- MNREGA job card
Understanding the voting course of
Here’s what to anticipate once you head to the polling booth:
- Locate your nearest polling booth: Find your designated polling station.
- Verification course of: A polling officer will confirm your identify on the voter record and request your ID proof.
- Inking and documentation: After verification, your index finger shall be inked, and also you’ll obtain a slip for acknowledgment. Your signature shall be required in a register.
- Proceed to the voting booth: Hand over the slip to the third polling officer, show your inked finger, and enter the voting booth.
- Casting your vote: Inside the booth, you’ll encounter the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Press the button corresponding to the election image of your most well-liked candidate. A beep confirms your choice.
- Verification by way of VVPAT machine: A slip will seem on the VVPAT machine’s clear window, displaying the serial quantity, identify, and election image of your chosen candidate for 7 seconds. This slip will then drop into the sealed VVPAT field.
NOTA choice
If not one of the candidates align along with your alternative, you have got the choice to choose “None of the Above” (NOTA) on the backside of the EVM. Remember, digital gadgets corresponding to cell phones and cameras are prohibited inside the polling booth premises. Ensure you allow them at residence or entrust them to a companion earlier than getting into.
With this guide, you’re outfitted with the information to confidently take part within the democratic course of and contribute to the nation’s future.
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