Voter ID Verification: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a crucial new rule for voter card verification, under which citizens will now have to prove their Indian nationality. This process has currently commenced in Bihar and is expected to be implemented nationwide, including in West Bengal, very soon. The primary objective of this new regulation is to remove ineligible voters, especially illegal immigrants, from the electoral rolls and to create a transparent and accurate voter list.
Key Aspects of the New Verification Process:
For this new verification process, every citizen will need to submit specific documents based on their date of birth. The process will primarily be completed offline by filling out a form, which your local Booth Level Officer (BLO) will distribute door-to-door.
- Form Submission: Applicants must fill out a specific form with their name, voter ID number, address, and other personal details.
- Document Submission: Depending on your date of birth, you will need to submit the following documents:
- For those born in India before July 1, 1987: Only proof of their own birth or place of birth is sufficient.
- For those born in India between July 1, 1987, and January 1, 2004: They must submit proof of their own birth or place of birth, along with that of either their father or mother.
- For those born in India after January 1, 2004: They must submit proof of birth or place of birth for themselves, their father, and their mother.
- Non-Indian Parents: If either parent is not an Indian citizen, a copy of their valid passport and visa at the time of the applicant’s birth must be submitted.
Which Documents Are Accepted as Proof?
The list of acceptable documents specified by the ECI includes:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- PAN Card
- Matriculation or educational certificates from a recognized board or university
- Permanent Resident Certificate
- OBC, SC, ST, or any other caste certificate
- National Register of Citizens (NRC)
- Government documents such as land or house deeds
How Will the Verification Process Work?
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will go door-to-door to distribute forms and collect documents. Afterward, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will verify these applications and, if necessary, conduct field inquiries. To maintain transparency throughout the process, political parties and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) will have the opportunity to raise objections or appeal decisions.
This Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is being conducted for the first time since 2003 and aims to make the country’s voter list more accurate and secure. The eligibility date for the pilot project in Bihar has been set for July 1, 2025, and it is expected that this process will begin in West Bengal before the 2026 assembly elections.
It is crucial for every Indian citizen to be aware of these new regulations and to keep the necessary documents ready. Stay in contact with your local BLO to complete your voter card verification process in a timely manner.
