How to vote in India: a step-by-step guide to polling day
Voting takes a few minutes, but it is easier if you know the sequence. Here is what happens inside a polling station, what to carry, and what you will see on the machine.
By the Janadesh Online editorial team. Facts last checked against the sources below on 25 September 2026.
Before polling day
You can vote only if your name is on the electoral roll. Check it at electoralsearch.in, on the Voter Helpline App, or by calling 1950. If you are not listed, you need to register first.
Take one of the photo identity documents listed below. The Election Commission notes that the Photo Voter Slip is not accepted as a stand-alone identity document.
What to carry: the 12 accepted IDs
- Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Service ID card with photo (Central/State Government, PSU, public limited company)
- Passbook with photo (bank or post office)
- PAN card
- Smart card issued by the Registrar General of India under the NPR
- MNREGA job card
- Health insurance smart card (Ministry of Labour scheme)
- Pension document with photo
- Official ID card issued to MPs, MLAs and MLCs
- Aadhaar card
Aadhaar is on the list whether or not you have linked it to your voter ID.
Inside the polling station
- First polling officer
Checks your name on the voter list and your identity document.
- Second polling officer
Inks your finger, gives you a slip, and takes your signature in the Form 17A register.
- Third polling officer
You hand over the slip and show the inked finger, then go to the voting compartment.
- Press the button
On the EVM, press the button next to the name and symbol of your candidate. A beep confirms your vote.
- Check the VVPAT slip
The slip with the candidate's serial number, name and symbol is visible for 7 seconds, then drops into a sealed box.
Mobile phones, cameras and other gadgets are not allowed inside the voting compartment.
If you do not want to choose anyone
The last button on the EVM is NOTA, "None of the Above". Pressing it is a valid, secret way to record that you turned up and chose no candidate. Read more in what NOTA is and what it does.
What happens next
Your vote is stored in the machine until counting day. See how the machines work and how the votes are counted. To see how many people turned out in past elections, browse the turnout records.
Frequently asked questions
Can I vote with only an Aadhaar card?
Yes. Aadhaar is one of the 12 photo identity documents the Election Commission accepts at the polling station. You still need your name to be on the electoral roll.
Is the voter slip enough to vote?
No. The Election Commission says the Photo Voter Slip is not accepted as a stand-alone identity document. Carry one of the 12 listed photo IDs.
Can I take my phone into the voting compartment?
No. Mobile phones, cameras and other gadgets are not allowed inside the voting compartment.
How long can I see the VVPAT slip?
The slip, showing the candidate's serial number, name and symbol, is visible for 7 seconds before it drops into a sealed box.
What if my name is not on the voter list?
Then you need to register. The Election Commission says to contact the Electoral Registration Officer or your Booth Level Officer, or call 1950. See the guide on how to register.
How do I know my vote was recorded?
You hear a beep when you press the button, and the VVPAT slip shows the candidate you chose for 7 seconds.
Sources
Janadesh Online is independent and not affiliated with the Election Commission of India. Rules and procedures can change between elections; the Commission’s own notices are the authority. Spotted an error? Tell us on the contact page.
