The viral WhatsApp forward on 'Challenge vote' and 'tender vote' is hoax

Vartha Bharati | 16-04-2019 | 20:49:00 IST

Election Commission of India

A viral message aiming to make people aware about their voting rights has been floating around on social media.

The message reads:
? 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.

TRUE OR FALSE ?

The Quint found out that the claims made in the viral message are only partly correct.

The first pointer in the post says “If 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.”

This is false. When a person’s name is not on the voting list, they simply can’t vote. The ECI issues the Voter ID card to citizens after their names have successfully been included in the electoral rolls of their constituency. Just because one has their Voter ID Card does not mean that that they will definitely be allowed to vote – because it is mandatory their name should appear in the electoral roll for them to vote.

The message mentions something called a ‘challenge vote’, and falsely quotes section 49A.

The Handbook for Presiding Officers, however, does indeed mention a ‘Challenged Vote’ .

A ‘Challenged vote’ is where the polling agents challenge the identity of an elector and the presiding officer holds an inquiry into the challenge.

Meanwhile, section 49A in the ‘Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961’ describes the ‘Design of Electronic Voting Machines’, and has nothing to do with ‘challenge vote’.

The second sentence point in the viral message states “If you find that someone has already cast your vote, then ask for ‘tender vote’ and cast your vote.”

This is true. 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. In such a case, the Presiding Officer may ask questions to confirm one’s identity.

Once s/he is convinced that their identity is genuine, he or she will provide a tendered ballot paper and one can cast a ‘Tendered Vote’

A tendered ballot paper is the same as the ballot paper displayed on the balloting unit, except that it will be endorsed (either stamped or written) with the words ‘Tendered Ballot Paper’ on the back.

The message lastly mentions “If any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, repolling will be conducted in such poling booth.”

This statement is false. Speaking to The Quint, Padma Angmo, Director, ECI, clarified that tendered votes will be taken into account only on the direction of a High Court.

“Courts have said that tendered votes should be taken into account only when they are likely to affect the outcome of the election, ie, when the margin of victory is less than the number of tendered votes,” she said.

Courtesy: The Quint

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.

Comments

comments powered by Disqus.

Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G

01-04-2026 ¦ 01-04-2026 IST

Priyank Kharge

Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.

Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.

He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.

Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.

He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.

He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.

Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.

The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.

“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.