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Your voter portal
Everything you need to take part in the world’s largest democratic exercise: learn how elections work, get help, and vote in the demo booth.
India’s elections at a glance
Key numbers from the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the basic voting rules.
0Lok Sabha constituencies
0Electors in 2024
0Turnout, 2024 general election
0Phases, 19 April to 1 June 2024
0Alternative photo IDs accepted
0Minimum voting age
How an election works
The main stages of a general or state election, from the announcement to the results.
AnnouncementThe Commission announces the schedule. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force for parties, candidates and governments.
NominationsCandidates file nomination papers with the Returning Officer of the constituency.
Scrutiny and withdrawalNominations are examined. Candidates can withdraw, and the final list is published.
CampaigningParties and candidates campaign. Campaigning ends 48 hours before polling closes.
Polling dayVoters cast their vote on an EVM, and the VVPAT slip lets them verify it.
Counting and resultsVotes are counted under the Returning Officer and the results are declared.
Poll-day readiness checklist
Tick each item as you finish it. 0 of 5 done
Milestones in Indian democracy
From paper ballots and a single commissioner to digital rolls and home voting. Filter the timeline by theme.
Election Commission of India is set upInstitution
Established under Article 324 of the Constitution, a day before India became a Republic. Sukumar Sen was appointed the first Chief Election Commissioner in March 1950.
The Representation of the People ActsInstitution
The 1950 Act deals with the electoral rolls and the 1951 Act with how elections are conducted. They are the backbone of election law.
The first general electionInclusion
Held from October 1951 to February 1952, with about 17.3 crore electors and 1,874 candidates. India chose universal adult franchise from the start, for citizens aged 21 and above.
First electronic voting machine trialTechnology
EVMs were first tried at Paravur in Kerala, in 50 of the 123 booths.
Voting age lowered to 18Inclusion
The 61st Constitutional Amendment brought the voting age down from 21 to 18, adding about 3.57 crore citizens to the rolls.
Photo ID cards and a three-member CommissionInstitution
The Commission decided to issue Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) nationwide to prevent impersonation. It has been a three-member body since 1 October 1993.
EVMs spread to whole statesTechnology
EVMs were used in selected constituencies in 1998, and the Goa Assembly election in 1999 was the first to use them statewide.
An all-EVM general electionTechnology
EVMs were used across the country for the Lok Sabha election for the first time.
Braille ballots and overseas votingInclusion
Braille signage was added to EVMs for blind voters, and in 2010 citizens living abroad gained the right to vote.
National Voters’ Day beginsInstitution
The Commission’s foundation day is observed every year to encourage voter enrolment and participation.
Verifiable votes and a right to rejectTechnology
VVPAT slips were first used in the Noksen by-election in Nagaland. NOTA was added to ballots and EVMs, and online enrolment began.
VVPAT with every EVMTechnology
The Lok Sabha election was held in seven phases, with VVPAT slips available at every polling station.
Postal ballots for more votersInclusion
Senior citizens aged 80 and above, persons with disabilities and others became eligible to vote by post.
A digital voter IDTechnology
The electronic EPIC (e-EPIC) launched, so voters can download their ID.
The 18th Lok Sabha electionInclusion
Held in seven phases from 19 April to 1 June, with over 96 crore electors and a turnout of 65.79%. Home voting was offered to voters aged 85 and above and persons with disabilities.
Voter turnout in Lok Sabha elections
Percentage of electors who voted in each general election, 1951–52 to 2024. The two most recent peaks were in 2014 and 2019.
Then and now
1951–52
2019
2024
Electors
17.3 crore
91.2 crore
Over 96 crore
Turnout
45.7%
67.4%
65.8%
Candidates
1,874
8,054
—
How people voted
Paper ballot
EVM and VVPAT
EVM and VVPAT
Turnout figures are rounded from the Commission’s Atlas of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
About the Election Commission of India
A permanent, independent constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections across the country.
Established25 January 1950
Constitutional basisArticle 324
HeadquartersNirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi
CommissionChief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners
Elections it conducts
Local body elections (panchayats and municipalities) are run separately by State Election Commissions.
Lok SabhaThe House of the People
Rajya SabhaThe Council of States
State assembliesLegislative Assemblies and Councils
PresidentOffice of the President
Vice-PresidentOffice of the Vice-President
What it does
The Commission’s main powers and responsibilities.
Electoral rolls
Prepares and keeps the rolls of eligible voters up to date, and issues voter ID cards.
Schedules and notifications
Announces election dates and phases, and oversees nominations and scrutiny.
Political parties
Registers parties, recognises national and state parties and allots election symbols.
Model Code of Conduct
Sets guidelines for parties, candidates and governments from the announcement of elections until results.
Election expenditure
Monitors spending by candidates and parties during elections.
Advisory role
Advises the President or a Governor on the disqualification of sitting members of Parliament and state legislatures.
Who runs an election on the ground
The Commission works through a chain of officers, from the national level to your polling station.
Election Commission of IndiaThe Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners supervise every election.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)The senior officer in each state or UT who runs the Commission’s work there.
District Election Officer (DEO)Usually the District Magistrate or Collector, in charge of elections in the district.
Returning Officer (RO)Conducts the election in one constituency, from nominations to results.
Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)Maintains the electoral roll for an assembly constituency.
Presiding Officer and Booth Level OfficerThe Presiding Officer runs your polling station on poll day. The BLO is your local contact for the electoral roll.
Constitutional provisions
Article
What it says
324
Superintendence, direction and control of elections vest in the Election Commission.
325
No person is excluded from the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
326
Elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are on the basis of adult suffrage, for citizens aged 18 and above.
327–328
Parliament and state legislatures can make laws on matters connected with elections.
329
Courts cannot interfere in electoral matters except through an election petition.
The Commission began with a single Chief Election Commissioner and has been a three-member body since 1 October 1993. Learn more at eci.gov.in.
Get help
Check your eligibility, find the right form, see which IDs are accepted, and get answers to common questions.
Am I eligible to register?
A quick check. Nothing you enter here is saved.
Contact and support
Call1950
Voter helpline. Add your STD code before dialling.
SMSECI <EPIC no.> to 1950
Checks your voter details. Send ECIPS <EPIC no.> to find your polling station.
Register, search the electoral roll, correct details and download your e-EPIC.
AppVoter Helpline App
Register, track applications, and find your polling station and BLO. ECI is merging these services into its ECINET app.
In personYour BLO
Your Booth Level Officer. Find their details on the portal or app, or visit a Voter Facilitation Centre.
ReportcVIGIL
Report violations of the election code of conduct during elections.
Which form do I need?
Form 6
New voter registration, including first-time voters and people who moved to another constituency.
Form 6A
Registration for overseas Indian electors.
Form 6B
Voluntary submission of your Aadhaar number to authenticate your roll entry.
Form 7
Deletion of a name, or an objection to an entry.
Form 8
Correction of details, such as name, address or photo.
Form 12D
Postal or home voting for absentee voters, such as those aged 85+ and persons with disabilities.
IDs you can show at the polling station
Your name must be on the electoral roll. If you don’t have your voter ID (EPIC), any one of these 12 photo IDs is accepted.
Accessible voting
Home voting
Available to voters aged 85 and above and persons with benchmark disabilities (40% or more), when offered for an election.
Priority at the booth
Senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women are given priority entry.
Booth facilities
Ramps, wheelchairs and Braille on the EVM ballot unit help voters with disabilities.
Saksham ECI app
Lets voters with disabilities register, request a wheelchair and find their booth.
Common questions
Who can register to vote?
An Indian citizen who is 18 or above and an ordinary resident of the polling area. New voters can enrol on four qualifying dates in a year, and young people aged 17 can apply in advance.
How do I check that my name is on the list?
Search the electoral roll at voters.eci.gov.in or in the app, or SMS ECI followed by your EPIC number to 1950. You can vote only if your name is on the list.
Can I vote anywhere with my voter ID?
No. You vote at the polling station for the constituency where you are registered.
I have moved house. What should I do?
If you moved to a different constituency, apply with Form 6 for your new address. For changes within the same constituency, use the correction form (Form 8).
I lost my voter ID. Can I still vote?
Yes. If your name is on the roll, you can show any one of the 12 approved photo IDs. You can also download your e-EPIC from the portal or apply for a replacement.
Is Aadhaar mandatory to vote?
No. Submitting your Aadhaar number through Form 6B is voluntary, and Aadhaar is one of the 12 accepted photo IDs at the booth.
What is NOTA?
None of the Above lets a voter reject all candidates. NOTA votes are counted, but the candidate with the most votes still wins.
What is a VVPAT?
A Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machine attached to the EVM. It shows a slip with your candidate’s serial number, name and symbol for about seven seconds before it drops into a sealed box.
Can overseas Indians vote?
Yes. Overseas Indian citizens can register using Form 6A and vote in person at the polling station of their constituency in India.
What is the Model Code of Conduct?
A set of guidelines for parties, candidates and governments that applies from the announcement of an election until the results are declared.
What is the silence period?
Campaigning must stop 48 hours before polling closes, so voters can decide without last-minute campaigning.
My name is missing but I have an ID. Can I vote?
No. An ID only proves who you are. Your name must be on the electoral roll, so check it early and apply with Form 6 if it is missing.
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1 Nation 1 VoteA demo digital voter platform. Content summarises information published by the Election Commission of India.
Need help?Call 1950 (add your STD code) or visit your nearest Voter Facilitation Centre.
Details change, so confirm at eci.gov.in. This portal is a demo and doesn’t cast or record real votes.
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