Knock before the vote: EC rolls out doorstep voter slips ahead of high-stakes polls

The initiative—rolled out through door-to-door visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs)—aims to ensure that every registered voter receives accurate, accessible and timely information well before polling day.

• VIS distribution begins for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections (Phase-I) on April 23
• Door-to-door outreach by BLOs to ensure every voter is informed, prepared and empowered
• QR-coded slips with polling details, maps and do’s & don’ts aim to ease congestion and speed up voting
• Accessible Braille-enabled AVIS introduced to ensure inclusive participation of PwDs
• Strict warning against misuse; VIS not valid as standalone ID for voting
• Poll body pushes voter awareness, transparency and seamless election-day experience

According to the Commission, the VIS contains essential voter details, polling station location, date and time of voting, along with a snapshot map of the polling booth and a curated list of do’s and don’ts to guide electors. A QR code embedded in the slip allows for quick verification and seamless matching of voter details, reducing delays and crowding at polling stations.

In a significant upgrade, the ECI has made the slips more readable and user-friendly, ensuring that the part number and serial number are prominently displayed for easy identification.

To deepen outreach, BLOs are personally delivering VIS to voters at their homes, with the process mandated to be completed at least five days before polling—ensuring no voter is left uninformed.

Reinforcing inclusivity, the Commission has introduced Accessible Voter Information Slips (AVIS) with Braille features for persons with visual impairment. This move underscores the ECI’s commitment to universal and barrier-free electoral participation.

The Commission has also clarified that VIS will be issued only in the official languages of the respective electoral rolls, enhancing comprehension across diverse voter groups.

At the same time, the poll body has sounded a strong caution: Any unauthorised possession or distribution of VIS will be treated as a violation under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), inviting penalties including imprisonment or fines.

Importantly, the ECI reiterated that VIS is not a valid standalone identity proof for voting. Electors must carry any of the 12 approved ID documents, including the EPIC, to cast their vote.

With this initiative, the Election Commission of India is not just delivering slips—it is delivering confidence, clarity and convenience to millions of voters, reinforcing the backbone of India’s democratic process.