All you need to know about NRI Voter ID card
With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections just two months away, it's time to gear up. All eligible voters must possess a valid Voter ID card in order to cast their vote. Notably, Indian citizens residing abroad (NRIs) are free to vote in elections in India. NRIs, who aren't citizens of any other country, can apply for a Voter ID card. Here's more on this.
A little bit of history
According to the Representation of the People Act of 1951, there was no provision for NRIs to participate in elections in India, till the year 2010. Post that, an amendment was introduced that allowed NRIs to vote in India, and therefore apply for a Voter ID card. However, the person must be at least 18 years old, and should not hold citizenship of any country other than India.
Online procedure for NRIs to apply for Voter ID card
Visit the official website of the National Voters' Services Portal (NVSP). Click on 'Form 6A', ie. 'For registration of overseas voter.' On the next page, fill the required personal, residential, and constituency-related details. Upload the supporting documents, viz. your photograph and relevant Passport pages. Finally, check the declaration, enter the Captcha code, and click on 'Submit' button.
Offline procedure
If you wish to submit your Voter ID application via offline mode, you will have to visit an Electoral office in India, get the Form 6A, fill it out, attach necessary documents, and submit the same.
