Fact Check: Misleading Claim About 'Challenged Vote' Circulating On Social Media; Check What Viral Post Claims

Lok Sabha Election 2024: A viral message about "challenge vote" and voting rights of Indian citizens is going viral on social media ahead of the general elections that begin next week. The polls on 543 seats across India will be held in seven phases beginning on April 19 and results will be declared June 4.

Check What Viral Message Claims

- When you reach the polling booth and find that your name is not on the voter list, just show your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for "challenge vote" under section 49P and cast your vote.

- If you find that someone has already cast your vote, then ask for a "tender vote" and cast your vote.

- If any polling booth records more than 14 per cent tender votes, re-polling will be conducted in such polling booths.

What's The Truth? Let's Examine It

- The first point suggests that individuals not listed on the voter list can still vote by showing their Aadhar card or voter ID and ask a "challenge vote" under section 49A. However, this is false. If a person's name is not on the voter list, they are not eligible to vote. Having a Voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote; one must be registered on the electoral roll.

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- The second statement is true, if someone finds that their vote has already been cast, they can ask for a "tender vote". According to Rule 42 of The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, if the Polling Officer tells a person that their vote has already been cast, then one should immediately bring this to the attention of the Presiding Officer.

- The last point which claims that repolling will be conducted if any polling booth records more than 14 per cent tender votes is false. A former Padma Angmo, Director, ECI, had clarified in 2019 that tendered votes are considered only under the direction of a High Court.

What Is Challenge Vote

The message mentions a "challenge vote", citing section 49A, which is false. While there is a provision for a "Challenged Vote" in the Handbook for Presiding Officers, section 49A in the "Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961" pertains to the design of Electronic Voting Machines and has nothing to do with "challenge vote".

(Source of information: The Quint)