A voter card is a very important document, which gives you the right to vote and is also proof of your identity. But there are some special rules related to it that every citizen must follow. In this article, we will tell you what the legal consequences of having more than one voter card are and what you can do if you have two cards by mistake.
Punishment and rules for having two voter cards
It is very important for every person living in India to have many types of documents. These documents give us our identity and rights as citizens. One of the most important documents among these is the voter card, which gives us the right to vote. But there are some strict rules related to this document.
One citizen, one voter card
Every person in India can have only one voter card. If a person gets two voter ID cards made or has two cards by mistake, then legally it comes under the category of a crime. Many people think that having voter cards in different addresses or states is not a big deal, but according to the rules of the Election Commission of India, a citizen’s name can be in the voter list of only one assembly constituency.
What is the crime and punishment?
Having a name in two places or having two cards is considered fraud. This can affect the transparency and fairness of the election process. By doing this, you can be punished under Section 182 of the BNS and Sections 17 and 31 of the Representation of the People Act. If you are found guilty, you can be jailed for one month to 5 years, fined, or both.
What to do if two cards are made by mistake?
Many times, people get new voter cards made while living in different cities, but forget to cancel the old card. This mistake can cost them heavily later. If you also have two cards made by mistake or due to a lack of information, then there is no need to fear. You can cancel your old voter card by filling out Form 7.
Process of filling Form 7
While filling Form 7, you have to tell which card you want to delete and why. Along with this, you will also have to submit some important documents. Once the process is completed, your record will be updated, and you will be left with only one valid voter card.