In India, voting is a fundamental right, and every eligible voter must ensure they are registered and know the necessary details about their polling station before heading to the booth. A crucial document for this process is the polling chit (also called the voter slip), which provides information like your polling booth, voter serial number, and other essential details.
With the Election Commission of India (ECI) making many services available online, you can easily retrieve your polling chit using the official ECI website. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get your polling chit from the ECI’s online portal.
Steps to Get Polling Chit from ECI’s Website
1. Visit the Official Website
The first step is to go to the official website of the Election Commission of India’s Electoral Search Portal:
https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/
2. Select the Appropriate Language
The website is available in multiple languages. You can choose the preferred language (such as English, Hindi, Marathi… etc.) for easy navigation. This option is available on the top right corner of the homepage.
3. Enter Voter Information
On the homepage, you will see the option to search for your voter details. Here, you will need to enter the following information:
- Name: Enter your name as registered in the voter list. You can also enter partial names if you are unsure about the full spelling.
- Father’s Name: In some cases, you may need to input your father’s name as part of the search criteria, especially if the name is common.
- State: Select the state in which you are registered as a voter.
- Assembly Constituency: If prompted, choose your assembly constituency or location. Once you have filled in the relevant details, click on the “Search” button.
4. Verify Your Details
After clicking search, the website will show a list of matches based on the entered criteria. Carefully verify your details—such as name, age, and address—to ensure the correct voter information is displayed.
If there are multiple results, you may need to refine your search by adding more specific details like the date of birth or constituency.
5. Download or Print Polling Chit
After confirming your information, you will see an option to either view or download your polling chit (voter slip). The document will display your voter ID details, polling booth location, and other relevant information.
- If you wish to print the polling chit, you can either click the Print button or save it as a PDF for later reference.
- Some versions of the portal may also allow you to send the polling chit to your registered email ID.
6. Troubleshooting
- Incorrect Information: If you find discrepancies or incorrect details on the website, you can contact the Election Commission or your local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to make necessary corrections.
- No Result: If your name doesn’t appear in the search, it could be due to a misspelling, incorrect details, or a delay in the electoral roll update. In this case, you should check with the local authorities to ensure your registration is up-to-date.
Why You Need the Polling Chit
The polling chit is essential for voters as it helps in the following ways:
- Polling Booth Details: It clearly specifies the address of the polling booth, ensuring that you know exactly where to vote on Election Day.
- Voter Serial Number: This helps polling officials identify you on the voters’ list.
- Confirmation of Registration: It serves as a proof that your name is included in the electoral roll for that election.
Additional Features on the Electoral Search Portal
The electoral search portal also offers several other useful features, including:
- Voter Registration Status: You can check if your voter registration is active or if there are any issues with your enrollment.
- Voter ID Status: If you’ve applied for a new Voter ID or an update, you can track the status of your application.
- Polling Booth Locator: Apart from the polling chit, you can use this feature to find the nearest polling station based on your location.
Conclusion
Accessing your polling chit through the ECI website is a straightforward process that saves time and ensures you have all the necessary details before you head to vote. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly retrieve your polling chit, confirm your registration, and be fully prepared for Election Day. Always ensure that your voter details are up-to-date to avoid any complications when casting your vote.
