Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections starting next week, viral messages about “challenge voting” and the voting rights of Indian citizens are going viral on social media. Voting will be held in seven phases and the results will be announced on June 4.

What does it say? : The claim states the following:

• When you reach the polling station and find that your name is not in the voters’ list, just show your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for a ‘challenge vote’ under Section 49A and cast your vote.
• If you see someone who has already voted, ask for a “soft vote” and vote.
• If the vote share exceeds 14% at any polling station, a re-ballot will be held at that polling station. (sic)

What is the truth? : These claims are misleading.

Let’s dig into it: The first post states that if your name is not in the electoral list, then you can just produce your Aadhar card or voter ID and ask for a challenge vote under Section 49A and proceed with voting.

• However, this is wrong. When a person’s name is not on the voting list, they cannot vote.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) issues voter ID cards to citizens after their names are successfully included in the electoral rolls for their constituencies. Just because a person has a voter ID card does not mean they will necessarily be allowed to vote – as their name must appear on the electoral roll in order to vote.

What is a challenge vote? : The message referred to a so-called “challenge vote” and incorrectly cited Section 49A.

However, the Presiding Officer’s Manual does refer to “challenge votes.”

Meanwhile, Rule 49A of the Election Rules 1961 describes the “design of electronic voting machines” and has nothing to do with “challenges to votes”.

The second statement is correct: A second statement in the viral message states that if you see someone who has already voted, you can ask for a “soft vote” and vote.

• this is true. According to Rule 42 of the Electoral Conduct Rules 1961, if a polling officer tells a person that their ballot has been cast, it should be brought to the attention of the Presiding Officer immediately.
• In this case, the meeting host can ask questions to confirm someone’s identity.
• A submitted ballot is the same as the ballot displayed on the voting device, except that it will have the words “Ballot Submitted” marked (stamped or written) on the back.
• One last note: The message concludes by stating, “If the number of tendered votes at any polling station exceeds 14%, a re-ballot will be held at that polling station.”
• This statement is wrong. Former ECI director Padma Angmo clarified in an interview with The Quint in 2019 that the submitted votes will be considered only on the direction of the High Court.

in conclusion: Misleading claims about “vote challenges” spread rapidly in the lead-up to the election.

(This story was originally published by quintuplets, and was re-released by NDTV as part of Shakti Collective. )