As India braces itself for the Lok Sabha elections, misinformation regarding election procedures has flooded social media platforms, particularly Whatsapp. A recent viral message circulating on Whatsapp has drawn attention to purported procedures like “challenge vote” and “tender vote,” prompting fact-checkers to delve into the veracity of these claims.
The message disseminated on Whatsapp contains false and misleading assertions regarding the voting process in India, specifically focusing on the concepts of “challenge vote” and “tender vote.” Here’s a closer look at the claims and the subsequent fact-checking:
False Claims Dispelled:
Claim 1: “If your name is not on the voter list, you can demand a ‘challenge vote’ and cast your vote by showing your Aadhaar Card or Voter ID.”
Fact Check: The term “challenge vote” has been misinterpreted. The correct term is “challenged vote,” which pertains to situations where polling officials question a voter’s identity. Contrary to the claim, individuals whose names are not on the voter list are ineligible to vote. Sheyphali Sharan, an Election Commission of India spokesperson, has confirmed this.
Claim 2: “In case someone has already cast your vote, you can request a ‘tender vote’ and cast your ballot.”
Fact Check: This claim is partly true as per Section 42 of the Conduction of Election Rules, validated by an ECI spokesperson. If an individual finds that their vote has been fraudulently cast, they can request a “tender vote.” However, this process entails specific procedures, including signing against their name in Form 15. The tendered ballot paper is handled differently but is counted alongside regular ballots.
Claim 3: “Polling booths recording over 14% tendered ballot votes will necessitate re-polling.”
Fact Check: This assertion is categorically false. There is no provision for automatic re-polling based on the percentage of tendered ballot votes. Tendered ballots are only considered in the final count if they could potentially alter the election outcome. The Election Commission handbook does not specify any predetermined percentage for triggering re-polling.
In Shorts:
The scrutiny by fact-checking authorities has revealed that two of the three claims propagated in the viral message are inaccurate and misleading. As India embarks on its democratic exercise, it becomes imperative for citizens to rely on verified information and refrain from spreading misinformation that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
