Several voters across booths in Tamil Nadu, where voting for the Lok Sabha elections began at 7am on Thursday, were turned away from polling after they did not have their booth slips. A polling booth in the Chennai South constituency witnessed chaos and commotion after voters were turned away, though the Election Commission has stated that booth slips are not mandatory. TNM was told that the polling booth was understaffed and could not manage the turnout.
Venkatachari, a retired bank employee from Thiruvanmiyur, stood in line at 7am. "My wife, daughter and I were in line at 7am but they were both turned away for not having slips. They went home and are trying to print the slips online," he says.
Tamil Nadu CEO Satyabrata Sahoo has now stated that instructions have been issued to all District Electoral Officers to ensure that those who do not have booth slips but have the appropriate identity cards are allowed to vote.
"All voters will be allowed to vote if their name is in voter list. Voter slips have been issued. Political parties have also given the voter list. Voters may identify with these also even if they are not carrying the voter slip. But one of the identity cards is necessary," the TN CEO said.
Many voters had to go back home to download their booth slips. While the slips can be printed online, the Election Commission has not mentioned that it is mandatory to carry booth slips to the polling booth.
However, before they go out to vote, electors can also download their booth slips from the official website nvsp.in using their EPIC numbers or personal details and print them out.
Here is how you can download your booth slip:
Visit electoralsearch.in and enter your personal details or your EPIC number to access your details. Click on ‘View Details’ and the page will redirect you to your voter information or ID. You can then click on ‘Print Voter Information’ at the bottom of your voter slip and take a printout of the same. This is your booth slip that can be carried to the polling booth.
Usually, at the polling booth as well, election officials who have the list of voters have copies of your booth slips. Voters can also take their slips from them.