Voting as a process is one of the most important duties of citizens in a democratic state, and it is vital to the success of a state. Voting allows citizens to choose the individuals who will govern their country and enact various policies and procedures that will impact every sphere of public and private life.
However there are many eligible voters who do not exercise their franchise, because of a number of reasons, chief among them being ignorance of the process or a lack of relevant information about the steps and procedures to be followed.
The state of Maharashtra has taken steps to rectify this and holds various programmes and drives to both educate as well as promote the voting process among citizens.
Before casting one’s ballot, individuals first have to get a voter ID card. Considered a long and cumbersome process, the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer’s department has streamlined the procedure and made it faster and accessible to all.
How to Apply for A Voter ID Card Online in Maharashtra
The Chief Electoral Officer in Maharashtra has introduced a process of online applications for registering for a voter’s identity card. The procedure to apply for one have also been simplified, making it convenient for individuals to apply no matter where they are. This system also helps save time since they do not have to visit the Electoral Office to collect the necessary forms.
The online process for applying for a voter ID card in Maharashtra is a simple one, as described below:
Voter Id Application Process:
- Visit the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra’s website(www.ceo.maharashtra.gov.in) at and select the “Online Voter Registration” option from the tab.
- A page will open up with a list of forms and their descriptions. If you are registering as a new voter, click on Form 6.
- Fill in the details requested in the form that will be displayed.
- Upload the necessary documents (photograph, address proof, identity proof) along with the form and click “submit”. You could also fill in a portion of the form and save it to be completed later.
- If you have filled in all the information as requested, you will receive an application number, which you can use to track the status of your application.
- Once you have submitted the form, the details will be verified by a Booth Level Officer (BLO) who will visit your home.
- On successful verification of the details submitted by you, you will be notified and your voter ID card will be sent to your address by post.
Check for Maharastra Elections 2019
How to Apply for a Voter ID Card Offline in Maharashtra
Voter ID cards can be applied for offline as well, for those individuals who not have access to internet facilities or are unfamiliar with online applications.
The procedure for applying for a voter ID card offline is mentioned below:
- Visit the nearest Electoral Office to your residence and request for Form 6, which is the form to register a new voter in the electoral rolls.
- Enter all the details and submit the form along with the required supporting documents to the Electoral Office.
- You could also submit the form at the nearest specially designated Voter Help Centres, the list of which is available on the website.
- Once submitted, a Booth Level Officer will make a visit to your home to verify the details and documents submitted by you.
- After successful verification, you will be notified once your application has been processed and will receive your voter ID card through the post at the address mentioned in the application form.
Documents to be Submitted for Voter ID Card Application:
- Recent passport sized photographs
- Proof of age- for applicants between the ages of 18 and 21 years (school certificate/birth certificate/passport/Aadhaar card/PAN card/bank pass book/driving licence etc)
- Proof of residence (passport/driving licence/Aadhaar card/ration card/recent utility bills/bank or post office passbook)
How to track status in Maharashtra
Tracking Voter ID Status Online
To check the status of your Voter ID application online, you can follow the steps given below.
- Visit the Maharashtra CEO website(http://103.23.150.139/marathi/).
-
Search by Name
- Select “Name Wise”
- Choose “District”, enter your district, name and click on “Search”.
- You can also choose “Assembly”, enter your district, assembly, name and click on “Search”.
-
Search by EPIC
- Choose your district
- Enter your ID card number and click on “Search”.
Tracking Voter ID status via SMS
This facility is not available in Maharastra yet, but may be rolled out in the future.
Calling on the Dedicated ECI Helpline Number
You can call the ECI Helpline number 1950 toll free. The helpline is available on all working days between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
How to Apply for Duplicate ID Card Online in Maharashtra
There may be occasions where you have misplaced or lost your voter ID card. Your voter ID card could also have been stolen or cannot be used because it is torn/mutilated.
In such situations, you will have to apply for a duplicate voter ID card in order to exercise your franchise.
The steps to apply for a duplicate voter ID card are as follows:
- If your voter ID card has been lost or stolen, you will have to file an FIR (First Information Report) at the local police station.
- Go to the Chief Election Commissioner of India website and download Form 002, which is the form for the application of a duplicate voter ID.
- Fill in the form with all the relevant details and attach the supporting documents as requested (along with the FIR copy).
- Submit the same at the local electoral office, after which you will receive an acknowledgement.
- You will receive your duplicate voter ID either through the post or you can collect it in person from the electoral office.
How to Apply for Duplicate Voter ID Card Offline in Maharashtra
If you have lost or misplaced your voter ID card, you can apply for a duplicate voter ID card in the following way:
- If your voter ID card was lost, misplaced or stolen, you will have to file an FIR at your local police station.
- Take a copy of the FIR and collect Form 002 from your local electoral office.
- If your voter ID card is mutilated or torn, take the card with you when you visit the local electoral office.
- Fill in the form with the information requested and attach the supporting documents.
- Submit the form and documents to the office, whereupon you will receive an acknowledgement.
- You will receive your duplicate voter ID card on verification of the documents submitted by you.
How to Make Corrections in Voter ID Card Online in Maharashtra
There are times when your voter ID card might have a misspelling of your name or an error in your contact details, for example. As the voter ID card is an official document, you should always correct any errors as soon as possible.
The procedure for correcting the information on your voter ID card is as follows:
- Visit the website of the Chief Electoral Officer in Maharashtra and click on the “Online Voter Registration” tab on the homepage.
- Click on Form 8, which is the form for correction of details on an existing voter’s ID card.
- The online form will appear. Enter the details requested and upload the necessary documents.
- For name change, upload an official document such as marriage certificate or government gazette.
- For address change, upload a document with the correct address mentioned (such as passport/pass book/ driving licence/electricity bill etc.)
- Once you have uploaded and filled in all the information, click “submit”.
- You will receive an instant acknowledgement in the form of a reference number, which you can use to check the status of your application online.
- Your application will then be processed by the authorities.
- On successful verification, you will receive a voter ID card with the changes either by post or you can collect it in person from the electoral office.
How to Make Corrections in Voter ID Card Offline in Maharashtra
In the event that your voter ID card has errors when it comes to certain details such as your name, address or any other details, you can correct the information by submitting an application in this regard.
The steps for making corrections in your voter ID card offline are given below:
- Visit the Electoral Office and collect Form 8, which is the application form to make corrections in a voter ID card.
- Fill in the details as requested and attach documents with the correct name/address.
- For name change, attach a copy of the official gazette notification or a marriage certificate.
- For address corrections, attach a copy of an official document mentioning the correct address (for example, ration card, Aadhar card, passport, driver’s licence etc.).
- Submit the form and supporting documents to the electoral office.
- Once your application has been verified, you will receive your corrected voter ID card through the post or you can collect it personally from the electoral office.
How to Change your Address in Voter ID Card Online in Maharashtra
Individuals registered in a particular constituency may no longer be living in the same area. However if you have not updated your changed address in your voter’s ID card, you are not eligible to vote in elections where you live currently.
If it is a permanent address change, you would need to delete your name from the electoral rolls at your former place of residence and add your name in the electoral roll at your current residence. This can now be done in one step by applying for a transposition of name from electoral roll.
Through such an application, not only will your name be added in your current area’s electoral roll, but it will be deleted in your old constituency electoral roll. Your voter ID card will also be updated with your current address.
The office of the Electoral Officer in Maharashtra has made it easier for individuals to change their addresses on their voter’s ID cards now, as they can do so in a few simple steps online.
The online process is listed below:
- Go to the website of the Chief Electoral Officer in Maharashtra and select the Form 8A from the Online Voter Registration link, which is the form for transposition of address.
- Fill in the details as requested and upload supporting documents for your current address, such as utility bills etc.
- Once you have filled the form and uploaded supporting documents, click on “submit”.
- You will be issued a reference number, which you can use to track your application status.
- After verification of the information submitted by you, you will receive a voter’s ID card with the corrected address mentioned.
How to Change your Voter’s ID Card Offline in Maharashtra
As a registered voter, your voter ID card should always be updated and list the most recent information. In the event you have changed your address, your voter ID card should also reflect this change.
This is done to register you in the electoral rolls of the constituency where you currently reside, while your name will be struck off the rolls in your previous place of residence.
The process of changing your address on your voter’s ID card offline is now much simpler, with the steps mentioned below:
- Visit the office of the electoral officer or an electoral office in the constituency where you reside and collect Form 8A, the application form for changing address.
- Fill in the form with the information requested and attach documents in support of your current address- such as electricity or telephone bills.
- Submit the filled in form to the electoral office, where you will receive an acknowledgement of the same.
- Once the information you have provided has been verified, you will receive a voter’s ID card with the new address through the post, or you can collect it personally from the office.
Read on to find more about Election Dates 2019
Maharastra Elections 2019
The Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra in 2019 will be held in four different phases on 11th, 18th, 23rd and 29th April. The results of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 were as follows:
| Name of political party | Number of seats won |
|---|---|
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 23 |
| Indian National Congress(INC) | 2 |
| Shiv Sena | 4 |
| Swabhimani Paksha | 18 |
Facts about politics in Maharashtra
The major political parties in Maharashtra are Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Shiv Sena and National Congress Party (NCP). Currently, a coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena is in power in the state. In the last legislative assembly elections that were held in 2014, the coalition won 185 out of 288 seats.
Chief minister of Maharashtra
The current chief minister of Maharashtra is Devendra Fadnavis. The list of chief ministers in Maharashtra are:
| Name | Term Period |
|---|---|
| Jivraj Narayan Mehta | 1 May 1960 to 3 March 1962 and 3 March 1962 to 19 September 1963 |
| Balwantrai Mehta | 19 September 1963 to 19 September 1965 |
| Hitendra Kanaiyalal | 19 September 1965 to 3 April 1967 |
| President's rule | 3 April 1967 to 12 May 1971 |
| Ghanshyam Oza | 13 May 1971 to 17 March 1972 |
| Chimanbhai Patel | 17 March 1972 to 17 July 1973 |
| President's rule | 17 July 1973 to 9 February 1974 |
| Babubhai J. Patel | 9 February 1974 to 18 June 1975 |
| President's rule | 18 June 1975 to 12 March 1976 |
| Madhav Singh Solanki | 12 March 1976 to 24 December 1976 |
| Babubhai J. Patel | 24 December 1976 to 10 April 1977 |
| President's rule | 11 April 1977 to 17 February 1980 |
| Madhav Singh Solanki | 7 June 1980 to 10 March 1985 and 7 June 1980 to 10 March 1985 |
| Amarsinh Chaudhary | 6 July 1985 to 9 December 1989 |
| Madhav Singh Solanki | 10 December 1989 to 3 March 1990 |
| Chimanbhai Patel | 4 March 1990 to 25 October 1990 and 25 October 1990 to 17 February 1994 |
| Chhabildas Mehta | 17 February 1994 to 13 March 1995 |
| Keshubhai Patel | 14 March 1995 to 21 October 1995 |
| Suresh Mehta | 21 October 1995 to 19 September 1996 |
| President's rule | 19 September 1996 to 23 October 1996 |
| Shankersinh Vaghela | 23 October 1996 to 27 October 1997 |
| Dilip Parikh | 28 October 1997 to 4 March 1998 |
| Keshubhai Patel | 4 March 1998 to 6 October 2001 |
| Narendra Modi | 7 October 2001 to 22 December 2002, 22 December 2002 to 22 December 2007, 23 December 2007 to 20 December 2012, 20 December 2012 to 22 May 2014 |
| Anandiben Pate | 22 May 2014 to 7 August 2016 |
| Vijay Rupani | 7 August 2016 to 26 December 2017 and 26 December 2017 to present |
Election commissioner of Maharashtra
The current election commissioner of Maharashtra is Jageshwar Swarup Saharia.
