Google today dedicated doodle to the fourth phase of India's mammoth general election. The doodle, like on the first three phases of the Lok Sabha election, featured an inked finger, which when clicked led users to a page explaining the voting procedure. It further leads to instructions on how to vote. This doodle's reach is only for India and the interactive doodle page contained information to help the first-time voters in the country.
People with their names in the voter list (also known as Electoral Roll) could only cast their vote, it said. Voters could also find information on polling booths, contesting candidates, election dates and timings, identity cards and Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
Here is the guide to the voting process at polling booths-
The doodle explained the voting process at a polling booth and also gave several details:
• First polling official will check your name on the voter list and check your ID proof
• Second polling official will ink your finger, give you a slip and take your signature on a register (Form 17A)
• You will have to deposit the slip at the third polling official and show your inked finger and then proceed to the polling booth
• Record your vote by pressing the ballot button opposite the symbol of the candidate of your choice on the EVM; You will hear a beep sound
• Check the slip that appears in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip with the Candidate serial No., Name and Symbol shall be visible for 7 seconds before it drops in the sealed VVPAT box
• You can press NOTA, None of the Above, if you don't like any candidate; it's the last button on the EVM
How to vote: How to check your name on voter list?
• Log on to electoralsearch.in
• Call the Voter Helpline 1950 (please add your STD code before dialling)
SMS <ECI> space <EPIC No> to 1950 (EPIC stands for Electors Photo Identity Card also commonly known as Voter ID card). Example – If your EPIC is 12345678 then sms ECI 12345678 to 1950
• Download Voter Helpline App
How to use EVM?
EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine and VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). After pressing the button against your favourable candidate's symbol, check the slip that appears in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip with the Candidate serial No., Name and Symbol shall be visible for 7 seconds before it drops in the sealed VVPAT box
What can serve as identity proof besides voters' ID?
• EPIC (Voter ID card)
• Passport
• Driving License
• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies
• Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office
• Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
• MNREGA Job Card (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee)
• Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour
• Pension document with photograph
• Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
What are the election dates?
Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Results will be declared on May 23.
Phase 1 – April 11
Phase 2 – April 18
Phase 3 – April 23
Phase 4 – April 29
Phase 5 – May 6
Phase 6 – May 12
Phase 7 – May 19
The result – May 23
In the first three phases, voting has been held in 302 Lok Sabha constituencies, and 168 more seats will go to polls in the last three phases.