Story:
When you reach poling booth and find that your name is not in voter list, just show your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for “challenge vote” under section 49A and cast your vote.
If you find that someone has already cast your vote, then ask for “tender vote” and cast your vote.
If any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, repolling will be conducted in such poling booth.
Please share this very important message with maximum groups and friends as everyone should aware of their right to vote
Fact Check:
The message doing rounds on WhatsApp and other online platforms claims about a Challenge Vote and Tender voting process when your name is not in voter list. It is shared widely amidst the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India starting April 11, 2019. So, let us examine the authenticity of the claims mentioning Challenge Vote and Tender voting process.
Challenge Vote
According to the message, when you reach polling booth and find your name missing from voter list, you can show your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for “challenge vote” under section 49A and cast your vote. Firstly, you are eligible to vote only if your name appears in the voter list (electoral roll) prepared by the Election Commission of India. If it is missing for some reason, it means you have to register again. On the other hand, the said Section 49A in The Conduct of Elections Rules is not related to voting process in case of name missing from voter list. It is in fact related to the Design of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs):
Every electronic voting machine (hereinafter referred to as the voting machine) shall have a control unit and a balloting unit and shall be of such designs as may be approved by the Election Commission.
However, there’s ‘Challenged Vote’ meaning identity of a voter is challenged, when he/she fails to prove it. Subsequently, the presiding officer has the right to hand over the voter to police.
Tendered Vote
Yes, if you find someone has already cast your vote, then you can ask for “tendered vote” and cast your vote. After necessary inquiry by presiding officer, you will be allowed vote in a ballot paper. Tendered Ballot Papers are then sealed and locked away.
Tendered votes are not usually counted in the normal vote counting process. They are counted in cases like when the margin of defeat is less than the total tender votes polled. And it takes places under the directions of a High Court. Like mentioned in message, there’s no rule of re-polling if any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes.
Hoax or Fact:
Partially Fact.
References:
Handbook for Polling Agent, Feb 2019 – Election Commission of India
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