To link your Aadhaar card with your Voter ID in 2026 the most practical way is to visit the official Voters' Service Portal (voters.eci.gov.in) log in with your mobile number and fill out Form 6B. Once you enter your Epic Number (Voter ID number) and Aadhaar details you verify the request with an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile phone. This process is completely online free of cost and helps the government ensure that your name is correctly listed in only one voting area.

Is it Mandatory to Link Aadhaar with Voter ID in 2026?

One of the biggest questions people have is whether they must link these two cards. In 2026 the government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) have maintained that linking Aadhaar with Voter ID is voluntary.

Unlike the PAN card where linking is mandatory to keep the card active your Voter ID will not be cancelled if you choose not to link it. You will still be allowed to vote in elections as long as your name is on the electoral roll. However, the government strongly encourages linking because it makes the voter list much cleaner and more accurate by removing duplicate or bogus entries.

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Why Should You Link Aadhaar with Voter ID?

Even though it is voluntary there are several practical reasons why you might want to do it in 2026.

1. Removing Duplicate Entries

Sometimes when people move from one city to another their name remains on the voter list in their old hometown while they register in a new city. Linking with Aadhaar helps the system identify these duplicates and ensures you are registered in only one place which is the legal requirement.

2. Preventing Voter Identity Theft

By linking your unique biometric ID (Aadhaar) with your Voter ID you make it almost impossible for someone else to vote in your name. It adds a strong layer of security to your democratic right.

3. Faster Updates in the Future

When your Aadhaar is linked, updating your address or name on your Voter ID becomes much easier. The system can pull verified data from your Aadhaar reducing the amount of paperwork you need to submit for changes.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Link Online (Portal Method)

This is the most common method used by citizens in 2026. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes and can be done from any smartphone or computer.

Step 1: Visit the Voters' Service Portal

Go to the official website: voters.eci.gov.in. If you don't have an account click Sign Up and register using your mobile number and email ID.

Step 2: Log In

Once registered click on the Login button. Enter your registered mobile number password and the captcha code displayed on the screen. You will receive an OTP to enter the portal.

Step 3: Find Form 6B

On the dashboard you will see several options. Look for the section titled Letter of Information of Aadhaar number for the purpose of electoral roll authentication or simply look for Form 6B.

Step 4: Enter Your Details

Select your State and Assembly Constituency.
Enter your EPIC Number (this is the alphanumeric number printed on your Voter ID card).
The system will fetch your details. Verify that the name and other info are correct.
Enter your Aadhaar Number.

Step 5: OTP Verification

Click on Generate OTP. You will receive a code on the mobile number that is linked to your Aadhaar. Enter this code on the portal and click Submit.

You will receive a Reference ID. Keep this safe so you can track the status of your linking request later.

Method 2: Using the Voter Helpline App

If you prefer using a mobile app the Voter Helpline App (available on Play Store and App Store) is a very user-friendly tool in 2026.

Open the App: Tap on the Voter Registration icon.
Form 6B: Select the Aadhaar Authentication Form (Form 6B) from the list.
Let's Start: Enter your mobile number and the OTP you receive.
Aadhaar Choice: Select Yes, I have an Aadhaar number and click Next.
EPIC Details: Enter your Voter ID (EPIC) number and select your state. Tap on Fetch Details and then Proceed.
Final Step: Enter your Aadhaar number, place of application and click Done. Review your details and tap on Confirm to submit.

Method 3: Offline Linking (Via BLO)

If you are not comfortable with technology you can still link your documents through a human assistant.

In 2026 the government will conduct door-to-door verification drives. During these drives a Booth Level Officer (BLO) will visit your home.

The BLO will provide you with a physical copy of Form 6B.
Fill in your Voter ID and Aadhaar details.
Give the form back to the BLO.
The officer will verify the details and update the record in the system using their specialized mobile app.

What Documents Are Required?

For the online process you generally do not need to upload any documents as long as you have your Aadhaar number and the linked mobile phone for the OTP.

However, if you do not have an Aadhaar card you can still verify your voter identity by submitting one of the following 11 alternative documents through Form 6B:

MNREGAJob Card
Passbook with photo issued by Bank/Post Office
Health Insurance Smart Card
Driving License
PAN Card
Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
Indian Passport
Pension document with photograph
Service Identity Card for employees (Central/State/PSU)
Official identity card issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
Unique Identity ID (UDID) Card for persons with disabilities

Government Facilities: Available vs. Unavailable

Since linking is voluntary the impact is different compared to other documents. Here is a clear breakdown:

Facility / Right

If Linked

If NOT Linked

Right to Vote

Fully Available

Name on Voter List

Protected & Verified

Safe (unless duplicate found)

Online Data Correction

Instant & Paperless

Requires Manual Proofs

Voter ID Download (e-EPIC)

Easy (via Aadhaar OTP)

Requires Voter Mobile Link

Identity Theft Protection

High

Standard

Government Subsidies

No Impact

Dealing with Data Mismatches

One common issue in 2026 is that a person's name on the Voter ID might be slightly different from their name on the Aadhaar card (e.g. Rahul S. vs Rahul Sharma).

If the difference is small: The system often allows the link after a basic manual check by the Election Office.
If the difference is large: The linking might fail. In this case you should first update your Voter ID to match your Aadhaar. You can do this by filing Form 8 on the same Voters' Service Portal. Once your name is corrected on the Voter ID you can proceed with linking.

Summary of Key Facts for 2026

Cost: It is 100% free. No one should charge you for this service.
Voluntary: You cannot be forced to link but it is recommended.
Form Used: Form 6B is specifically for Aadhaar-Voter linking.
EPIC Number: You must have your Voter ID number ready; without it you can't link.
Privacy: The Election Commission has stated that Aadhaar data is stored securely and is not shared with other departments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will my name be deleted from the voter list if I don't link my Aadhaar?

No. The Election Commission has clearly stated that no voter's name will be removed from the electoral roll solely because they did not provide their Aadhaar number.

Is there a deadline for linking Aadhaar with Voter ID in 2026?

There is no fixed deadline because the process is voluntary. You can do it anytime at your convenience.

Can I link my Aadhaar with my Voter ID if I don't have a mobile number?

Online linking requires an OTP so you need a mobile number. If you don't have one you should use the offline method by filling out a physical Form 6B and giving it to your local Booth Level Officer (BLO).

What if I have Voter IDs in two different cities?

You should choose the city where you currently reside and link your Aadhaar there. You should also apply for the cancellation of your Voter ID in the other city using Form 7. Having two Voter IDs is illegal.

I am an NRI; do I need to link Aadhaar with my Voter ID?

If you have an Aadhaar card you can voluntarily link it. However since many NRIs do not have Aadhaar they are not required to do so and can continue to use their Passport as their primary identification for voting.

Can I use a copy of my Aadhaar for this process?

For online linking you only need the number. If you are doing it offline via a BLO they may ask to see your original Aadhaar card for verification, they usually only need the number.

How do I check if my Aadhaar is already linked to my Voter ID?

You can log in to the voters.eci.gov.in portal and check your profile status. You can also contact your local BLO to verify the status in their records.

Can I unlink my Aadhaar from my Voter ID later?

Currently, the system is designed to link for authentication. If you wish to remove it you would need to contact your Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) with a formal request though the process for unlinking is not yet as simple as the linking process.

Is the Voter ID-Aadhaar link used for anything else?

No. The ECI uses this link only to purify the voter list, meaning to ensure that one person has only one vote. It is not used for tracking your taxes, bank accounts or other personal activities.

What should I do if the portal shows Technical Error during linking?

This often happens during heavy traffic (like near election dates). Wait for a few hours and try again or try using the Voter Helpline App which sometimes works better than the website during peak hours.

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