How to vote on election day

The last ward election in Bengaluru was roughly a decade ago, so almost everyone voting this time is a first-timer for this particular format — even people who've voted in other elections before. This guide assumes no prior knowledge.

What's different about voting in a ward election?

• You're electing one corporator for your ward — not an MLA or MP. This is a local, hyper-local vote.
• Bengaluru's civic wards have been redrawn under the new five-corporation GBA structure (North, South, East, West, Central). Your ward may be numbered and named differently from before.
• Your ward may not match your assembly constituency. They're different boundaries for different elections — check your specific ward using the ward finder on the home page, don't assume.

What happens at the polling booth, step by step?

1. Find your booth and check your slot. Use the polling booth locator beforehand so you know where to go.
2. Bring your EPIC (voter ID) card, or an accepted alternative document (see below) if it hasn't arrived yet.
3. Join the queue at your designated booth — you can only vote at the booth assigned to your address.
4. Get verified by the polling officer against the electoral roll.
5. Get your finger marked with indelible ink — this happens once per voter.
6. Collect your voter slip, if issued, and proceed to the voting area.
7. Cast your vote in the voting compartment, in private.
8. Leave the booth — voting only takes a couple of minutes once you're at the front of the queue.

What does the voting machine look like?

This section is drafted for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which is standard practice for urban local-body elections in Karnataka. This is pending confirmation from the State Election Commission before it's finalised.

An EVM has a row of buttons, one per candidate (plus NOTA), each showing the candidate's name, party symbol, and photo. You press the button next to your choice once; a beep confirms your vote has been recorded. You get one press — there's no way to change your vote after pressing.

What if my voter ID (EPIC) hasn't arrived yet?

You don't need to miss voting just because your EPIC card hasn't reached you. If you're on the electoral roll but don't have your EPIC yet, an accepted alternative photo ID document can be used instead.

What is a voter slip, and do I need it?

A voter slip is a card sometimes distributed before election day (or available at the booth) showing your name, serial number on the roll, and booth details. It speeds up verification, but it's not a substitute for your ID — you still need to show an accepted photo document. If you don't have a slip, you can still vote; the polling officer can look you up on the printed roll.

Can I vote NOTA?

Yes. NOTA (None of the Above) is an option on the machine alongside the candidates, for voters who don't want to vote for any of the contesting candidates. It's a valid vote — it's counted, but it does not affect who wins if a candidate has more votes than NOTA.

What can't I take into the polling booth?

• Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the voting compartment — most booths ask you to leave phones outside or switch them off before entering.
• Campaign material of any kind (badges, pamphlets, party symbols).

Bring only what you need: your ID document (and voter slip, if you have one).