Misleading claim about challenged vote goes viral ahead of elections: A fact check.

A viral message about the “challenge vote” and voting rights of Indian citizens is circulating on social media as the Lok Sabha elections approach. The elections will be held in seven phases, with results announced on June 4. The message advises individuals to ask for a “tender vote” if they find that someone has already cast their vote, and states that if a polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, repolling will be conducted there. However, the advice given in the message is misleading.

If a person’s name is not on the voting list, they cannot cast a vote, even if they have a Voter ID card. The Election Commission of India issues Voter ID cards only to citizens whose names are included in the electoral rolls of their constituency. The Handbook for Presiding Officers does mention a “Challenged Vote” in the event that a person is told that their vote has already been cast. According to Rule 42 of The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, if a Polling Officer informs a person that their vote has already been cast, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Presiding Officer, who may ask questions to confirm the individual’s identity.

A tendered ballot paper is essentially the same as the ballot paper displayed on the balloting unit, with the exception that it will be endorsed with the words “Tendered Ballot Paper” on the back. Regarding the claim that repolling will be conducted if a polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, this statement is not accurate. Former Padma Angmo, Director of the ECI, clarified that tendered votes will be taken into account only on the direction of a High Court, not automatically based on a specific threshold.