Chennai Faces Massive Voter ID Card Backlog Affecting Over 20 Lakh Applicants
In a significant administrative challenge, more than 20 lakh residents of Chennai who submitted Form 6 to enroll as new voters are experiencing substantial delays in receiving their voter ID EPIC cards. Many applicants report having submitted their forms approximately a month ago yet have not received any formal acknowledgement from the Election Commission of India (ECI), leaving them uncertain about their application status and concerned about potentially losing their voting rights.
Applicants Voice Frustration Over Verification Delays and Confusing Requirements
The situation has created considerable anxiety among first-time voters and those updating their electoral details. 19-year-old R Rishidharan from Purasawalkam shared his experience, noting that he applied for a voter ID on December 16 and received an acknowledgement on January 14 indicating that a booth level officer (BLO) would visit for verification. "It has been two weeks now, but nobody has come," he expressed. "When I check the status using the acknowledgement number on the web portal, it only shows 'submitted.' I am unsure if my vote will be added to the electoral roll and don't know whom to approach for clarification."
Another resident, K Giaz of Anna Nagar, highlighted additional bureaucratic hurdles. He submitted his forms in the first week of December and was contacted by officials this week, who requested multiple government ID documents as proof despite ECI guidelines stating that Aadhaar is sufficient for identity and residence verification. "The BLO is asking for a gas bill, a school transfer certificate, and a PAN card," Giaz explained. "Furthermore, they instructed us to fill in the area name instead of 'district' on the form and return it, which is confusing and inconsistent with the official process."
EPIC Numbers Issued But Physical Cards Missing for Many
Compounding the issue, some residents have received their EPIC numbers and found their names added to the electoral roll but have not obtained the physical voter ID cards. Vijayashri Venkatesh of Pallavaram remarked, "Our names appear in the electoral roll, yet none of my family members have received their cards. We are uncertain whether we can vote without the physical voter ID, which adds to the confusion."
ECI Official Clarifies Voting Eligibility and Card Distribution Timeline
In response to these concerns, Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Electoral Officer V Sridhar provided crucial clarifications. He assured that individuals can vote even without their voter ID cards by presenting any government-issued identification. "Everyone will be added to the electoral roll; that is our foremost priority," Sridhar stated. He explained that Form-6 applications are approved weekly in batches, with cards printed centrally by the ECI and expected to reach applicants by mid-March.
Regarding the current status, Sridhar mentioned that the government is compiling data on the number of voter IDs dispatched and plans to share this information within two days. He also reminded that the deadline to receive Form-6 submissions is January 31, indicating there is still time to process applications. This timeline, however, leaves many applicants in a state of limbo as they await their cards ahead of upcoming electoral processes.
The delays and procedural inconsistencies underscore broader challenges in voter enrollment mechanisms, particularly in metropolitan areas like Chennai with high application volumes. As the ECI works to streamline the process, residents remain hopeful for timely resolution to ensure their democratic participation is not hindered.
