You should begin by checking if you meet the eligibility criteria for voter registration. If you're eligible to vote, click here to know the registration process and get started!

What documents do I need to register for the first time?

If you are registering for the first time, you will need an address proof and an age proof document, apart from your filled voter registration form.

I am a college student. What documents do I need to register?

If you are a college student residing in your college hostel / mess and do not have an ordinary address proof document, you will have to get a Student Declaration Form signed by your college dean/principal/registrar and submit it along with your voter registration form. Besides, you will also need to submit an age proof document.

If you are a college student NOT residing in hostel, you need to submit an ordinary address proof document and an age proof document, like other first time voters.

It is always advisable that you register from your college since this is where you are likely to be for most time of the year. This will make sure that there is a very little likelihood of your missing an election during the year!

However, you are eligible to register from either of the places - your place of study or your native place.

I've just turned 18. Can I register to vote?

You can register if you are 18 years or older as on 1st January of the year when the electoral rolls are getting prepared. Currently, this will be 1st January, 2008.

Therefore, if you have completed 18 years of age after 1st January 2008, you can apply for your name to be listed on the electoral rolls getting released on or after 1st January 2009.

If you are going to complete 18 years of age after 1st January 2009, you are not eligible to register for voting for the upcoming general elections in April 2009. Photograph: Fayaz Kabli / Reuters | Image: Kashmiri girl dances during concert by Junoon in Srinagar

Also see: The award-winning college dropout