Fact Check: Viral WhatsApp message "tender vote", "challenge vote" misleading; details here
New Delhi: A message circulating on WhatsApp is spreading false claims about the voting process in India, particularly regarding the concepts of "challenge vote" and "tender vote." The message advises voters to show their Aadhar card or voter ID and request a "challenge vote" if their name is not on the voter list, which is not true. Any person whose name is not on the electoral rolls cannot vote.
The message also incorrectly describes the concept of "challenged vote," which is when polling agents challenge the identity of a voter, and the presiding officer holds an inquiry into the challenge.
The concept of "challenge vote" does not exist under section 49A of the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, as described in the message. The section, in reality, pertains to the design of electronic voting machines.
Regarding the claim that if someone finds that their vote has already been cast, they can request a "tender vote," this claim is true. Under section 42 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, a person representing themselves as a particular elector can apply for a "tendered ballot paper" if another person has already voted as such an elector. They will be entitled to mark a ballot paper in the same manner as any other elector.
However, the claim that any polling booth recording more than 14% tender votes will trigger a repoll is false. Tendered votes are only considered when they are likely to affect the outcome of the election, such as when the margin of victory is less than the number of tendered votes. The Election Commission handbook also does not mention any specific percentage for triggering a repoll, so the figure of 14% is unfounded.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) spokesperson, Sheyphali Sharan, had earlier confirmed that a person whose name is missing from the voter list cannot vote. Therefore, the claim that voters can ask for a "challenge vote" using their Aadhar card or voter ID is misleading and false. The ECI advises voters to check their names on the electoral rolls before Election Day and update them if necessary.
Misinformation and false claims about the voting process can impact voter confidence and discourage people from exercising their right to vote. Therefore, it is essential to fact-check and verify information before sharing it with others. Voters can contact their local election officials or the Election Commission of India to clarify any doubts or queries about the voting process.
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Delhi court sentences CBI joint director to 3 months' imprisonment in IRS officer assault case
New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court has sentenced two CBI officers to three months' imprisonment for assaulting and trespassing into the residence of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer during a raid over two decades ago.
Judicial Magistrate Shashank Nandan Bhatt was hearing the arguments on the sentence against the convicted retired police officer V K Pandey and Ramneesh, who was serving as a superintendent of police when the raid was conducted in 2000.
Ramneesh is at present a joint director at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court also fined Rs 50,000 each to both the accused.
Both were accused under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (mischief) and 448 (criminal trespass) in a complaint filed by IRS officer Ashok Kumar Aggarwal.
The case pertained to an incident on October 19, 2000, when a CBI team carried out a search and arrest operation at Aggarwal's residence in Paschim Vihar.
Aggarwal alleged that the officials forcibly entered his house in the early hours, assaulted him and violated legal procedures during the arrest.
#WATCH | Delhi | Former IRS officer assault case. | Tis Hazari Court sentenced CBI joint director Ramneesh and Retired ACP Vivek Pandey to 3 months sentence in an assault case filed by former IRS officer Ashok Agarwal. The court has granted them bail to challenge the judgment.… https://t.co/RwAxjMrWDK pic.twitter.com/2FlkG4rDs0
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2026
