Assembly Election FAQ: How to register as an NRI voter

The Election Commission of India announced the dates to Assembly Elections in four states and one Union Territory - Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, on Friday. About 18.68 crore electors will cast their votes in these states and union territory. However, if you are from these states but currently reside outside the country, you can still cast your vote.

Read | Counting for state Assembly elections to take place on May 2

The ECI, as it turns out, allows overseas Indians to register as an NRI voter. As long as a prospective voter is a citizen of India, absent from the country owing to employment, education etc, has not acquired citizenship of any other country, and is otherwise eligible to be registered as a voter in the address mentioned in their passport, they can vote in the election.

Read | Counting for state Assembly elections to take place on May 2

Here's how to register yourself as an NRI voter:

Step 1: Getting Started | Go to the voter portal website to find your polling station and the contact details of Election Officers from your area.

Step 2: Fill Enrollment Form | Fill Form 6A online at https://voterportal.eci.gov.in/ and upload the requisite proofs.

Alternatively, you can download Form 6A from the ECI website. Fill Form 6A in 2 copies. Forms are also available free of cost in Indian Missions.

Documents Required:

1. One recent passport size coloured photograph affixed in Form 6A.

2. Self attested photocopies of the relevant pages of the passport containing photograph, address in India and all other.

3. The page of the passport containing the valid visa endorsement.

Step 3: Submit the form | The form can be submitted in person or by post. A) If the application is sent by post, the photocopy of each of the documents referred to above should be duly self-attested. B) Alternatively you can fill the form in person at the Electoral Registration Officer / Assistant ERO of the constituency. If the application submitted in person before the ERO, the original passport should be produced for verification.

The verification process:

1. Booth Level Officer will visit the home address mentioned in your passport and enquire to verify the copies of documents.

2. In cases where no relative is available or willing to give declaration for verification of documents, the documents will be sent for verification to the concerned Indian Mission.

3. Decision of the ERO will be communicated to you by post on the address and SMS on the mobile number given in Form 6A. Electoral rolls are also on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer.

4. Names of overseas electors are included in a separate section for "Overseas Electors" which is the last section of the roll of each polling station area.

5. You can use Form-8 for making any correction in the electoral roll.