Beware of fake messages on social media : CEO

Exhorts people to access www.nvsp.in, Download voter helpline app or call 1950

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 05-Apr-2019

"It has come to the notice of the Election Commission of India (ECI) that certain fake messages with regard to the voting process are in circulation on the social media which are not entirely correct as per the Election related laws."Disclosing this here today, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, Dr. S. Karuna Raju said that the details are as follows :-

Message 1: -

"When you reach polling 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."This message is incorrect because as per Section 62 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 only a person who is enrolled as a voter in the Electoral roll is entitled to vote in that constituency. Hence, if a person on reaching polling booth finds that his/her name is not in the voter list, then that person cannot vote.The CEO further added that the Aadhaar card and Voter ID card are part of the 12 documents, which can be used as a proof of identity by the voter on the day of the poll. The other documents are Passport, Driving Licence, Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited companies, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, MNREGA Job card, Health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Pension document with photograph, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.It may be noted that the photo voter slip is for the guidance of the voter. It is not acceptable as a proof of identity.

The CEO also divulged that the provision of 'challenge vote' is available to the polling agents in case they have a doubt on the identity of the voter. In this process, the polling agents can challenge the identity of a person claiming to be a particular elector by depositing a sum of Rs.2 in cash with the Presiding Officer for each such challenge. The Presiding Officer shall hold a summary inquiry into the challenge. If after the inquiry the Presiding Officer considers that the challenge has not been established, he shall allow the person challenged to vote. If he considers that the challenge has been established, the Presiding Officer shall debar the person challenged from voting and shall handover such person to the police with a written complaint. All such complaints to the Police should be vigorously pursued and prosecutions launched against the offenders so that they are convicted and suitably punished. The Presiding Officer shall keep a record of such challenged votes.

Message 2:-

"If any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, re-polling will be conducted in such polling booth."This information is false.CEO appealed to the general public to aware of such fake messages.For any election related information people are requested to visit www.nvsp.in or download voter helpline app or call 1950.