Tamil Nadu Polls: Are You A First Time Voter? From Finding Polling Booth To Casting Votes, Here Is A Guide

The voting for the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu will be conducted in nearly 68,000 poll booths on Friday.

"We have taken all steps for smooth conduct of the elections. All the poll booths are ready. EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and concerned election officials will be reaching the booths by tomorrow evening." PTI quoted Chief Electoral Officer Sahoo as telling reporters on Wednesday.

Of the 68,000 polling booths, around 55,000 have internet connectivity, enabling monitoring through webcasting features.

"Adequate security arrangements including deployment of Central Armed Police Force have also been made. Even at those places where webcasting is not possible, we have appointed micro-observers who would only report to poll observers," he said.

Are you a first-time voter? Here is a complete guide for you

Voting Timings
The voting will be held between 7 am and 6 pm. Make sure to visit the polling booth early in the morning so that there will be less crowd.

Find out your polling booth before stepping out of home. To locate the polling booth using the EPIC number, follow these steps:

• Visit electoralsearch.eci.gov.in.
• Input the EPIC code, state, captcha code, and click 'Search.'
• The booth details will then appear on the screen.

How to know your EPIC number?

• Visit the official NVSP portal - https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/
• Navigate to 'Services' and select 'Search in Electoral Roll'.
• Choose either 'Search by Details' or 'Search by Mobile'.
• If you opt for 'Search by Details', input all necessary information, captcha code, and click 'Search' to retrieve your EPIC number.
• Alternatively, if you select 'Search by Mobile', provide your registered mobile number, captcha code, and click 'Send OTP'.
• A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to your registered mobile number.
• Use the OTP to access your EPIC number.

How To Vote?

• At the polling booth, you'll see three officers in a row.
• First, show your Voter ID or another valid document to the officer on the left for identity verification.
• Next, the middle officer will mark your finger with indelible ink, indicating you've voted.
• Then, proceed to the officer on the right to have your name checked off the electoral roll with a signature or thumbprint.
• Move to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to cast your vote. Select your preferred political party and press the blue button. Once done, the EVM's LED will turn red, and a slip will be generated by the VVPAT machine to confirm your vote.
• If there's any discrepancy between your vote and the VVPAT slip, inform the presiding officer to file a complaint.

Have You Lost Your Voter ID?

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), people, over 18 years of age, can still vote in the absence of your physical voter ID card. However, you can exercise your right only if your name is in the official voter list issued by the Election Commission. Once your name is enlisted, you possess the eligibility to cast your vote, even without presenting your ID card.

Carry any of these cards:

• Aadhaar Card
• MNREGA job Card
• Passbooks with photograph issued by Banks/Post Office
• Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour
• Driving License
• PAN Card
• Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
• Indian Passport
• Pension document with photograph
• Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/ State Govt./ PSUs/Public Limited Companies
• Official identity cards issued to MPs/ MLAs/ MLCs
• Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, M/o Social Justice Empowerment, Government of India