Voting for the third phase of the 17th Lok Sabha elections has begun today. It's the biggest phase out of the seven phases, covering 117 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 states and two Union Territories. Over 2.10 lakh polling booths are in place for smooth conduct of polls, while 18.85 crore registered voters will decide the fate of 1,640 candidates.

 

Here are few points you should go through before voting

How to know if you can cast vote?

  1. Your name must be on the electoral rolls in order to cast a vote.
  2. To check this, visit the National Voter’s Service Portal (http://www.nvsp.in)
  3. Using Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number on your voter ID card, you can search for the name on the rolls.
  4. Another way to find out is by calling the helpline 1950.

How to locate your parliament constituency and polling booth?

  1. To locate your parliament constituency and polling booth check your name on http://electoralsearch.in/
  2. Alternatively, you can also locate your polling booth by sending SMS.
  3. Type EPIC, followed by a space and your voter ID number and send it to 51969 or 166.
  4. You will receive a message with details of your polling booth within few minutes.

How to know who is contesting from your constituency?

  1. A full list of candidate contesting in elections is available on the website of respective state election commissions.
  2. It provides access to the affidavits submitted by candidates that provides details about criminal cases against them, their assets, education and occupation.

What if you don’t have a Voter ID card?

  1. You will be able to cast your vote as long as your name is present in electoral rolls.
  2. The following are the accepted IDs by the Election Commission:
    1. Passport
    2. Driving License
    3. Aadhaar Card
    4. Passbook with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office
    5. PAN card
    6. Smart card issued by RGI under NPR
    7. MGNREGA job card
    8. Pension document
    9. Authenticated photo

What happens inside the polling booth?

  1. First polling official will check your name on the voter list and check your ID proof.
  2. Then polling official will ink your finger, give you a slip and take your signature on a register.
  3. The voter will deposit the slip to another polling official and show your inked finger and then proceed to the polling booth.
  4. Record your vote by pressing the ballot button opposite to the symbol of the candidate of your choice on the EVM. You will hear a beep.
  5. Check the slip that appears in the transparent window of VVPAT machine. The slip with candidate serial no., name and symbol shall be visible for 7 seconds before it drops in the sealed VVPAT box.
  6. You can press NOTA, None Of The Above, if you don’t like any candidate; it’s the last button on EVM.