The 2019 General Election is being held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, 2019, to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. The counting of votes will be conducted on May 23, 2019, and on the same day, the results will be declared. Here's all the necessary information you need to know starting from who is eligible to vote, how to vote on an EVM, to what documents you need when you are a first-time voter.
Documents for the first-time voter
Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or one of the eleven specified photo identity documents, essential for casting vote.
The Election Commission of India has directed that all electors in all constituencies who have been issued Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) have to produce the Electors Photo Identity Card for their identification at the polling station before casting their votes. Those electors who are not able to produce the EPIC shall produce one of the following alternative photo identity documents for establishing their identity. The list of eleven documents is:
Passport, Driving License, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Pension document with photograph, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs, and Aadhaar Card.
What is NOTA?
The None of the Above (NOTA) option enables the voter to not vote for any of the candidates contesting the elections. As NOTA does not guarantee the dismissal of a winning candidate, it is only a method to give a negative feedback.
When was it introduced?
NOTA was introduced by the election commission of India on October 11, 2013
What happens if the maximum is NOTA?
EC official said the NOTA option would not impact the results of the elections. "The NOTA option on EVMs has no electoral value. Even if the maximum number of votes cast is for NOTA, the candidate getting the most of the remaining votes would be declared winner,"
Has it happened before?
Since it's introduction, NOTA has gained increasing popularity amongst the Indian electorate, securing more votes than the victory margin, for instance, in the Assembly Elections in Gujarat 2017, Karnataka (2018), Madhya Pradesh (2018) and Rajasthan (2018)
What is 49P?
It deals with the Tendered votes. When a voter finds that his vote has already been cast by someone, he is entitled to cast a tender vote. Those voters who prove that they are the real voters and have been subject to administrative error in compilation of voter list, or in marking on these lists of persons who has already voted, are entitled to cast tender votes under the provision of Sec. 49 p of The Conduct Of Election Rules,1961.
Movie references
A scene in the movie Sarkar showed Vijay’s character Sundar Ramasamy using the law to cast his vote. Sundar, who is an NRI and CEO of a top American company, comes to his home country to cast his vote for the state elections only to find out that someone else has cast his vote under his name. Sundar then moves court under Section 49P of the election rules
How does an EVM work?
EVM has two parts, it consists of a ‘control unit’ and a ‘balloting unit’, connected by a 5-metre cable. The control unit is with the Election Commission-appointed polling officer; the balloting unit is in the voting compartment into which the voter enters to cast the vote in secret by pressing the button against the name and symbol of the candidate of her choice. The control unit is the EVM’s ‘brain’ — the balloting unit is turned on only after the polling officer presses the ‘Ballot’ button on it. The EVM runs on a 6 volt single alkaline battery fitted in the control unit, and can even be used in areas that have no electricity
When did we go from ballot to EVM?
The first official election to be completely conducted through EVMs was the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
How to vote on an EVM?
After the balloting unit is activated, the voter is led into the voting enclosure where he/she votes by pressing a blue button next to the name of the candidate and the symbol of the party. This simple pressing of a button records their vote in the EVM.
When did the practice of ink stains begin?
The ink was first used during India's third General Elections in 1962.
Do you have the preference of finger?
Ink is normally applied to the left-hand index finger, especially to the cuticle where it is almost
impossible to remove quickly.
A voter with a missing left-hand forefinger, the prescribed one for inking, can be marked on any finger, thumb on the left hand.
For a person without fingers or thumb on the left hand, the ink is to be applied to his right-hand forefinger.
In the case of voters with no fingers or thumb on either hand, the ink marks must be applied on any extremity or stump of his left or right hand as he possesses.
For all others, if the left index finger already carries the ink mark from a recent poll, fresh marking is to be put on the left hand's middle finger.
How long does it stay?
2-4 weeks
Where you can get information about candidates?
In case someone is coercing you, what can you do?
The fastest way to lodge your grievance is by visiting the online portal of Election Commission of India.
Who can vote?
As per the Indian Constitution, all Indian citizens above the age of 18 years who have registered themselves as voters are eligible to vote. These individuals can vote in national, state, district as well as local government body elections.
No individual can be detained or prevented from voting unless they fulfill the criteria for disqualification.
Every voter is allowed one vote only. A voter can vote at the constituency where he has registered himself only.
Eligible voters have to register themselves in the constituency where they live, upon which they will be issued photo election identity cards (also known as EPIC cards). Individuals are not permitted to participate in the electoral process if they have not registered or do not possess a voter ID card.
