In the last Lok Sabha Elections held in 2014, when first-time voters went out to cast their votes, ‘Ache Din Aane Wale Hain’, and ‘Ab Ki Baar, Modi Sarkar’, the lucrative slogans that delivered BJP a massive victory, were largely heard. However, in the run up to 2019 General Elections, the war of slogans between the two national parties has continued to hog the limelight. As a first-time voter, you would be feeling bemused with how hearing BJP’s ‘Ab Ki Baar Fir Modi Sarkar’ and ‘Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai’ have become a part of your daily life and how Congress’ ‘Ab Hoga Nyay’, and ‘Congress Hai Na’ is something you cannot get your senses off.
There are a lot of things that first-time voters witness, other than splendorous and grand poll campaigns, while casting their vote. Where to go for voting? Do I require to carry any other documents while voting? What is the procedure to vote? Which party to vote for? Can I check my vote? Well, worry not; we at LatestLY have got you covered.
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As the polling in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections begins amidst huge political fervour, we bring you some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), the first-time voters often look answers for. Your Voter ID card, a.k.a. Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC), is the most important document to be eligible to vote in any elections. If you do not have your Voter ID card with you at the time the polling, then you will not be allowed to vote. Worried already? Well, if you haven’t received your Voter Card, then you can troubleshoot the issue here. (Interlink – Voter Card, or relevant).
a.You’ll meet the first electoral officer who will check your Voter ID card, and verify your identity. You’ll have to produce your ORIGINAL Voter ID card to the officer.
b. After verification, you will move to the second electoral officer who will mark your finger with the indelible ink (the one which will help you click selfies later), clearing you to cast your vote.
c. You will meet the third electoral officer, who’ll cross check all the facts, and get your signature done on the ‘Electoral Roll’ he’ll be carrying. Once you sign, you’ll be asked to vote.
d. You’ll see an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) placed in the poll-booth. Then, one of the electoral officers will press a button from his table, and signal you to cast your vote. Then, you can choose a candidate of your liking and press the button on the EVM unit in front of you ‘only once’, until a red light glows. (Please check this point is right or not)
Besides the EVM, you’ll find a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) attached to the voting unit. A paper will pop up where you can see the candidate/party which you had voted for.
e. If you find any inconsistencies in the above 4 steps, you can contact the electoral officer available at that polling station. They’ll ensure the issue is solved.
